Zimpapers Logo

Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A TEENAGER from Bulawayo has been sentenced to seven years in jail for raping a woman who is more than three times his age at knife point and robbing her of her cellphone.

A court heard that Mandlenkosi Phiri (19) of Old Magwegwe followed the 58 year-old woman who was coming from the same bar he had been in and grabbed her from behind.

He produced a knife and demanded money from the old woman before tripping her and raping her twice.

Phiri pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. He pleaded guilty to robbery before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza.

Mr Mabeza sentenced him to seven years in prison and three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar crime within five years.

He will spend an effective four years in prison.

Mr Mabeza said rape was a serious offence which attracted a custodial sentence. He said the victims were affected mentally and physically.

Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Dzipe said Phiri and the old woman were at a local bar on September 9 this year.

“Around 8PM, the old woman left and Phiri followed her. He grabbed her from behind, drew an okapi knife and demanded money,” Mr Dzipe said.

“He tripped the old woman and raped her. He took her cellphone and force marched her into a house which is still under construction before raping her for the second time.”

Phiri had denied raping the woman and said he only stole her cellphone.

@MondelaC