A 66-YEAR-OLD Avondale man, Jonah Makovere, was last week jailed for 15 years for raping a mentally-challenged woman after breaking into her house in Hatcliffe early this year.
BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Regional magistrate Sandra Mupindu said Makovere’s moral blameworthiness was high and he deserved a lengthy imprisonment term for violating the complainant’s rights.
“This court cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that the complainant is a mentally-challenged person,” said Mupindu. “It is very disturbing that accused took advantage of the complainant he had seen was severely mentally retarded. That in no doubt increases his moral blameworthiness.”
Makovere will, however, serve an effective 12 years after Mupindu suspended three years on condition of good behaviour.
“It does not need any emphasis that rape remains a serious offence which usually attracts nothing other than imprisonment. Rape is a terrible violation of a woman’s rights, privacy and autonomy,” Mupindu said.
She added: “It is an offence which really trashes womanhood and must receive a heavy penalty indeed. Rape risks victims to all sorts of sexually transmitted infections and the deadly HIV. Although the accused person is a first offender, he started his criminal career at the deepest end. Imprisonment is clearly called for.”
At the time of the commission of the offence, Makovere was employed as a security guard and was conducting his duties in Hatcliffe where the complainant resided.
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On the day in question, the complainant — whose age was not reflected in court papers — was at home carrying out her daily household chores when she suddenly saw Makovere who had intruded into her house.
The court heard that Makovere advanced towards the woman, caressed her, fondled her breast before undressing and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
The matter came to light that same day when a woman who had visited the complainant’s house knocked at the door and saw Makovere coming out of the house. The court further heard the victim then came out of the house and narrated her ordeal to Garikai.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Makovere’s arrest.
