Somabhula man convicted for valentine day rape of minor
By Dumisani Ndlovu
A 21-year-old man from Somambhula under Gweru rural district was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the rape of a fourteen-year-old girl on Valentine’s Day.
Bright Moyo who initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, was however convicted as charged by Gweru regional magistrate Christopher Maturure.
Moyo was convicted of one count of rape as defined in section 65 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 following a comprehensive trial.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Maturure said “Rape is a serious crime. You have ruined the little girl emotionally and psychologically. It is the court’s duty to protect children from offenders like you. Those in the community should learn from you, therefore I sentence you to 17 years in prison.
The Regional Magistrate, Maturure suspended one year on condition that the accused does not commit any sexual offence for a period of five years. Moyo will serve an effective 16 years in prison.
The Public Prosecutor Aggrina Matutu who managed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the crime was committed presented a birth certificate in court as proof of the complainant’s age and a medical report detailing the evidence from the sexual assault.
“The accused’s unacceptable actions not only exposed the minor to the risk of sexually transmitted infection but also had a profound and enduring impact on the complainant’s mental well-being,” said Prosecutor Matutu.
It was the state’s case that on the 14 February (Valentine’s Day) around 1945 hours, the complainant was on her way to her aunt’s place. The accused followed her and dragged behind a nearby stationary trailer.
The accused forcibly removed complainant’s pant and also dropped his trousers to knee level. He allegedly commanded the complainant to bend down and inserted his erect penis and quenched his sexual thirsty without her consent.
The matter came to light after the girl’s mother searched for the complainant since it was dark. She then found the two at the scene whilst the complainant was pulling up the pant. On the 15th of February 2024, the complainant was accompanied by her mother to report the matter at Gweru Rural Police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
