The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
A 15-YEAR-OLD teenager raped his eight-year-old cousin while her five-year-old younger brother watched.
The teenager from Mazwi Village in Kezi area who cannot be named for ethical reasons committed the offence in a bush while they were herding goats. He pleaded not guilty to rape when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira last week but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence. Passing of his sentence was postponed for four years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period. Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said the teenager raped his cousin sister who is a Grade Two pupil at Mazwi Primary School on 10 August last year.
“On 10 August the teenager, the complainant and her five-year-old brother drove some goats to drink at Tshatshane River. Upon reaching the river the teenager moved close to his cousin sister and pushed her to the ground while the five-year-old boy watched. The teenager raped the juvenile and warned her and her younger brother against reporting the matter. He then ordered them to proceed home,” said Mr Dube.
He said the matter came to light two weeks later after the five-year-old boy narrated to his mother what had happened to his sister. Their mother confronted her daughter who admitted to have been raped by her cousin. The matter was reported to the police resulting in the teenager’s arrest.-@DubeMatutu
