In a troubling case that has shocked the community, a 29-year-old man from Khwalu 1 suburb in Beitbridge, known as SDP, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison by the Beitbridge Regional Court. The man, identified as Royal Moses Siziba, was found guilty of waylaying and raping his 13-year-old neighbour on two separate occasions.
The court’s decision comes just days after another disturbing incident, where a 53-year-old cross border transporter was sentenced to 36 years in prison for repeatedly raping his own child over a period of three years. The horrific acts were part of a wider scheme involving money-making rituals, which also included the illegal termination of the victim’s pregnancy to conceal the crime.
In the recent case involving Royal Moses Siziba, the court heard that in October of last year, the accused followed the young girl as she made her way to the local shops near Dulivhadzimu Bus Terminus. Seizing the opportunity, Siziba waylaid the girl and attacked her, armed with a catapult to intimidate her. He then forcibly took her to a nearby bush where he raped her, threatening her with the catapult if she resisted or cried out for help.
Disturbingly, the man carried out a similar assault on the victim just a few weeks later, using the same method. In November, he even brazenly entered the girl’s house, taking her from her bedroom. The girl’s screams alerted her mother, who quickly intervened. It was at this moment that the victim disclosed the ongoing abuse, revealing that Siziba had been following her to the shops and fondling her breasts. However, due to fear of being attacked, she had not previously divulged the rape incidents.
The next day, the young girl encountered Siziba once again, and he viciously assaulted her with a whip, targeting her head. Fleeing from her attacker, she sought refuge with her mother, who promptly reported the incident to the police. The brave victim then detailed the horrifying ordeals she had endured at the hands of Siziba, leading to his subsequent arrest.
During the trial, Siziba pleaded not guilty to the charges of rape. However, the prosecution, led by Mr Willbrought Muleya and Miss Tsitsi Mutukwa, presented compelling evidence that proved his guilt. Consequently, the court convicted Siziba on two counts of rape, sentencing him to 20 years’ imprisonment for each count. As the counts will run concurrently, he will serve an effective 20-year sentence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of young individuals in our society and the importance of swift and decisive action against those who perpetrate such heinous crimes. The court’s judgment sends a clear message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated, and those responsible will face severe consequences for their actions.
