A Harare court has sentenced a 22-year-old maid, Rutendo Banda, to 15 years in prison for aggravated s3xual assault against the 8-year-old son of her employer’s landlord.
The sentence, handed down by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Esthere Chivasa, sends a strong message about the seriousness of lula lula assault and the need for justice for victims.
Banda, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was convicted on two counts of aggravated indecent assault after a full trial. The State, led by Ms Abigail Chido Gohori, presented compelling evidence that proved Banda’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In her ruling, Mrs Chivasa emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating that aggravated indecent assault is essentially equivalent to rape.
“The offence was committed in aggravated circumstances. There is no way a person convicted of rape or aggravated indecent assault can get a sentence of less than five years,” she said as she highlighted the fact that Banda had violated the young boy.
The magistrate also expressed concern about the potential for further harm, stating that “it was possible that the same might have been done to other children.”
She further emphasized the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in such cases, underscoring the need for a strong deterrent against such acts.
The court heard that the assault occurred in March, when the toddler was playing outside the house. Banda lured him into their bedroom and assaulted him. She then moved to the kitchen had had a second round with him then warned the youngster not to tell anyone about the incidents.
The victim, however, finally confided in his mother on August 19th, while Banda was washing dishes. The mother heard her son recount the abuse to Banda then intervened and took him to ZRP Dzivaresekwa to file a report, leading to Banda’s arrest.
Magistrate Chivasa rejected the possibility of community service as a sentence, deeming it a mockery of justice in this case. She ruled that Banda would serve 15 years in prison for each count, with the sentences running concurrently.
The sentence sends a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated and that the courts will take a firm stance against perpetrators, regardless of their background or social standing.
