By Crime and Court Reporter
Hurungwe — A 70-year-old man from Hurungwe has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted on three counts of rape for sexually assaulting his 16-year-old step-daughter. The case was heard at the Karoi Regional Magistrates’ Court.
According to reports from NPA Zimbabwe, the incidents occurred during February 2025, involving three separate acts of sexual assault.
The victim, a Form 2 student at a local school, was subjected to forced sexual acts by her step-grandfather, who entered her bedroom on each occasion, threatened her with death if she disclosed the abuse, and forcibly removed her clothes.
In each incident, the offender engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl without her consent, despite her refusal. The court heard that during the first and second incidents, the victim was threatened to stay silent, and the third incident also involved threats of violence.
The court sentenced the offender to 15 years imprisonment for each of the first two counts, and another 15 years for the third, totaling 45 years. However, taking into account the suspended sentences 10 years suspended for five years on the condition of good behavior the offender will serve an effective sentence of 20 years.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of sexual violence within families and the importance of protecting vulnerable minors from abuse.