Zimpapers Logo

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO commuter omnibus conductor was yesterday sentenced to an effective eight years in jail for raping two minors aged four and six.
Brendon Zolani Moyo, 21, of Old Pumula pleaded not guilty to rape charges but was convicted by Bulawayo regional magistrate Sikhumbuzo Nyathi.

Moyo was sentenced to 12 years in jail but four years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime. Moyo, who was convicted of one count of rape, has another pending.

“The six year-old victim is clearly intelligent judging by the way she gave her evidence. She knows how to count, she even listed the people who were present at the time she was raped by the accused. The girl knows Moyo very well and there is no question of mistaken identity. A medical report exhibited in court shows that the child was sexually abused,” said Nyathi

In passing the sentence, the magistrate noted that there was an increase in cases of child abuse hence the need to impose harsh and deterrent sentences.

“Cases of children being sexually abused are common before these courts and therefore the courts have to show disapproval of such behaviour in society by passing harsh and deterrent sentences.

“It is clear that the accused is an adult who betrayed the trust bestowed on him by the victims. It would appear Moyo was in the habit of luring the victims pretending to be a genuine friend yet he had a hidden motive of raping them. Surely we need to protect our children and a custodial sentence is justified given the circumstances surrounding this matter,” ruled Nyathi. In his defence Moyo, who said he was watching the children while they were playing at his house, alleged that the girl injured her private parts when she fell from a bicycle.

Prosecuting, Masimba Saruwaka narrated how on an unknown date but in April this year, eight children were playing a game in the verandah at Moyo’s home, pretending that they were at church when he spotted them.

He then went to rape the victims. However, Moyo argued in court, saying the said victims spent the day playing freely but he was surprised at sunset when he got a visit from people alleging that the children had been raped.

The six-year-old victim reported the matter to her mother and disclosed that Moyo had also raped her friend.
A police report was made leading to Moyo’s arrest.