A 52-YEAR-OLD man from Binga district, Matabeleland North, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping his eight-year-old granddaughter.
The accused, whose identity was withheld to protect the minor, appeared at the Hwange Regional Court, where he was found guilty of rape in contravention of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The court also found that he also violated a provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that safeguards children from abuse and exploitation.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The court heard that the abuse occurred on January 11 this year in Siabuwa, while the victim was guarding crops at a family field.
The State’s case was that the man followed the victim to a nearby stream before dragging her into a bushy area, where he sexually assaulted her. He threatened to physically harm her if she told anyone about the incident.
The matter came to light after the girl disclosed the assault to her grandmother, who reported to the police.
The man was arrested.
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