Gokwe – A Grade 7 pupil from Nyaradza Primary School has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison for raping his five-year-old niece. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced by Gokwe regional magistrate Musaiona Shortgame.
The incident occurred on February 12 this year in Mafa village, Chief Nemangwe. Shockingly, over the past few weeks, several sexual offences have taken place in Gokwe.
The young girl was at home with her uncle while her grandmother was attending a meeting at a nearby crèche. The boy lured the girl to his bedroom, where he forced her to remove her clothes and raped her.
The girl’s grandmother noticed that she was bleeding while bathing her and inquired about the cause. The girl bravely recounted her ordeal, leading to the boy’s arrest.
The minor was referred to Gokwe District Hospital for a medical examination, and the medical report was presented as evidence in court.
During the trial, the court heard how the boy had taken advantage of his young niece’s vulnerability. His actions were described as heinous and a betrayal of trust.
The magistrate, in delivering his sentence, emphasized the need to protect children from sexual abuse. He stated that the boy’s actions were a serious crime that had caused immense trauma to the victim.
