An 18-year-old man from Epworth has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping his 10-year-old neighbour. The teenager was found guilty of the crime by the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard that on July 5th, 2024, the teenager’s father borrowed a pen from the young girl, who was at home alone with her younger sister. Their mother had gone to Overspill Shopping Centre.
The teenager’s father later left without returning the pen, prompting the teenager to call the girl to his house, pretending he wanted to return the pen.
When the Grade 4 girl arrived at the door, the teenager, according to the court, dragged her into the house, slapped her twice in the face, and threatened to kill her if she made any noise. He then proceeded to rape her.
The incident came to light when the girl’s mother returned home and went to look for her daughter at the teenager’s house. She noticed her daughter’s slippers at the door, which made her suspicious.
The mother barged into the house and found the teenager putting on his trousers while the girl was on the floor, half-naked.
The girl’s mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to the teenager’s arrest.
The court, in its judgment, found the teenager guilty of rape and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. The judge highlighted the severity of the crime and the need for a strong sentence to deter future offenders.
Police are urging victims of sexual assault to come forward and report the crime. They are also reminding the public of the importance of protecting children and vulnerable individuals from sexual exploitation.
