18-year-old herd boy sentenced to 20 years for raping employer’s 12-year-old niece
In a harrowing case that shook the community, an 18-year-old herd boy was handed a 20-year prison sentence by the Beitbridge Regional Court for the rape of his employer’s 12-year-old niece. The incident, which occurred in January of this year, resulted in a conviction after the accused pleaded not guilty but was found guilty based on compelling evidence presented by the prosecution.
Residing in the Zezani area under Chief Tshithaudze, the young herd boy worked for the victim’s grandfather. According to the prosecution led by Mr Willbrought Muleya, on the morning of January 29, the herd boy gained access to the girl’s homestead and discovered her alone in one of the rooms. In a horrifying act, he forcibly lifted her to another room, closed the door, and proceeded to commit the heinous crime of rape.
The incident came to light when the girl, accompanied by her mother and a friend, was returning from church. Along the way, the two juveniles decided to collect amarula fruits in a nearby bush. As they made their way back home, they encountered the convicted boy, causing the girl to flee in fear while crying. Her friend quickly followed suit.
Upon reaching home, the distraught girl’s tearful state prompted her mother to inquire about the cause of her distress. It was then that she revealed her terrifying encounter with the boy, recounting the details of the assault. Deeply concerned, the mother reported the matter to the police, leading to the immediate arrest of the perpetrator.
