A RETIRED top soldier and war veteran, Harry Mangani, was last week sentenced to an effective 10 years in jail after being convicted of raping his teenage niece 10 years ago.
Mutare regional magistrate Sekai Chiwundura sentenced the 68-year-old Mangani after finding him guilty of raping the complainant in 2016 when she was 18 years old.
Mangani denied the allegations throughout the trial, telling the court that he was in a consensual relationship with the complainant (name withheld).
However, the court rejected that defence, ruling that the retired soldier took advantage of a vulnerable orphan who was living under his care and protection.
The court heard that Mangani, then aged 58, sexually assaulted the complainant at his homestead, where they lived together.
Prosecutor George Nyatsuro told the court that the offence occurred in June 2016 when Mangani allegedly entered the complainant’s bedroom while she was asleep.
According to evidence presented during trial, the complainant kept quiet for years after the incident because of intimidation.
The matter came to light last year when she reported at Harare Central Police Station after consultation with close associates.