By Takudziridzwa Nyama
A 34 year old man from a village in Mt Darwin has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl.
The incident occurred on the evening of September 13, 2023. According to reports, the victim, a Grade 7 student was alone at her residence around 7:00 PM when her father returned home at approximately 8:30 PM. About an hour later, at around 9:00 PM, the girl awoke to find the accused in her room.
The victim reportedly shouted for help, prompting her father to enter the room.
In a violent altercation, the offender struck the father with an axe handle, rendering him unconscious. The man then seized the girl, threatened her with an axe, and proceeded to remove her clothing before raping her. After the assault, he fled the scene.
The victim managed to return home and informed her father of the attack. The family promptly reported the incident to local police authorities. The girl was taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment.
Following a thorough investigation and trial, the court found the accused guilty of rape and sentenced him.