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Senior Court Reporter
AN Inyathi herdboy lured his neighbour’s 15-year-old mentally ill daughter into a bush and raped  her after promising to give her money in exchange for sex, a court heard. Alson Ndlovu, 21, of Dromoland in Bubi district pleaded not guilty to a rape charge, but was convicted by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira. Ndlovu was sentenced to 12 years in jail of which four years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime.
“He will serve an effective eight-year jail term.

In passing sentence, the magistrate noted that Ndlovu took advantage of the victim’s situation and raped her.
“You sexually abused the victim knowing it fully well that she was of mental ill-health.

“You actually took advantage of her condition and it was clear from the victim’s testimony in court that she was mentally challenged.
“You therefore deserve a long prison term that would serve as a deterrent to like-minded people,” ruled Dzira.

Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe narrated how on June 28 this year shortly after 1PM, Ndlovu visited his neighbour’s home and found the girl alone.
He persuaded her to escort him to his employer’s homestead after promising to give her money in exchange for sex.
The court was told that the girl complied and accompanied Ndlovu to his home.

“On arrival Ndlovu lured the girl to a nearby bush where he pushed her to the ground and raped her once,” Dzipe told the court.
Ndlovu and the victim were then later spotted by the girl’s uncle as they were emerging from the bush.
“On seeing the victim’s uncle, Ndlovu fled, prompting the uncle to become suspicious and he interviewed his niece who opened up,” said Dzipe.

The girl revealed that she was raped and a police report was made, leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.