By Patience Gondo
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced by the Gwanda Regional Magistrates’ Court to 20 years in prison for raping a 93-year-old woman in Esigodini on 6 July
In a statement on Wednesday, National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the offender unlawfully entered the victim’s bedroom during the night and forcibly removed her from her bed before raping her.
Later that same night, he committed an unrelated offence of unlawful entry and theft at another location.
Footprints from the theft scene led local villagers to trace the suspect’s movements, resulting in his arrest.
“Investigations confirmed his involvement in both incidents, including the rape.,” NPA said.
The court convicted him based on the evidence presented, linking him to the crime through physical traces and the sequence of events.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe issued a bulletin following the sentencing, stating that elderly persons are vulnerable members of the community and that criminal acts against them will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Zimbabwean law treats rape as a serious offence under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], which prescribes a minimum sentence of 10 years and allows for up to life imprisonment depending on aggravating circumstances.
Rape of an elderly person, particularly one over 70, is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.