Beitbridge father sentenced to 20 years for raping 12-year-old daughter
In a disturbing turn of events that has shaken the community, a 41-year-old man from Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, has been convicted and sentenced for the deplorable crime of raping his own 12-year-old daughter.
According to the details provided by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the incident occurred in August 2023, when the accused sent his other children away to Shurugwi for the holiday, leaving him alone with the young victim.
The court heard that the father plied the child with alcohol, causing her to become intoxicated and fall asleep. It was then that he proceeded to brutally rape his own daughter while she was in a vulnerable, unconscious state.
The harrowing ordeal came to light when the victim, upon waking up, experienced severe pain and discomfort in her stomach and genitals. She attempted to confide in the accused’s girlfriend, but the father promised to take her to the hospital, only to renege on his promise.
It wasn’t until March 2024, when the police received a tip-off about the victim’s poor health, that the authorities became involved. The young girl finally revealed the horrific details of the assault on April 17, 2024, after being removed from her father’s custody and placed in a safe haven.
The accused was promptly arrested on April 19, 2024, but made a brazen attempt to escape police custody shortly after. He was, however, rearrested on April 21 and subsequently convicted and sentenced.
The Beitbridge Magistrate handed down a harsh 20-year prison sentence for the rape charge, sending a strong message that such abhorrent crimes against children will not be tolerated. The father was also fined US$250 or an additional 6 months in jail for the escape from lawful custody charge.
