MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU- A 34-year-old man from Rusununguko Village in Mvuma has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for indecently assaulting his 11-year-old stepdaughter.
Pharaoh Chikwature pleaded guilty to the charge of aggravated indecent assault as defined in Section 66 (1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
According to court documents, the incident occurred in August 2025 when Chikwature, who had been drinking beer, entered the hut where his stepdaughter was sleeping and fondled her breasts and inserted his fingers into her vagina without her consent.
The matter came to light in September 2025 when the complainant revealed the incident to her mother, (name withheld).
The case was reported to the police in October 2025, and the complainant was referred to the hospital for a medical examination.
State prosecutor, Sibangani Dube, argued that the offense was committed in aggravating circumstances.
He submitted that Chikwature abused the position of authority he held as the complainant’s stepfather.
