Laurel Murangaridzirayi, muralaurel@gmail.com
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy from Inyathi in Bubi district who raped his 10-year-old sister in the absence of their mother, was yesterday sentenced to a wholly suspended prison term.
Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Joseph Mabeza convicted the juvenile of rape and sentenced him to three years which were wholly suspended for five years on condition that the boy does not within that period commit a similar offence.
Prosecuting, Ms Portia Mashashu said sometime in November last year at around 1pm, the juvenile took advantage of their mother’s absence and sneaked into his sister’s room where he raped her.
“On an unknown date in November last year at around 1pm, the accused person got into a room where the complainant was sleeping. The juvenile removed his young sister’s clothes and raped her,” she said.
The court heard that the accused continued to rape her sister on several different occasions during their mother’s absence.
“On 8 January this year, the accused and the complainant visited their father who resides in Nkayi. During their stay, their father became suspicious of the manner the two behaved and he quizzed the boy before contacting their mother who told him that the boy was in the habit of sexually abusing his sister,” said Ms Mashushu.
A report was made leading to the boy’s arrest.
The complainant was referred to Nkayi District Hospital for medical examination.