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Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau

A 20-year-old man from Gabara village under chief Tshitaudze in Beitbridge has been jailed for an effective 15 years for sexually abusing his neighbour’s three-year-old daughter.

Goodman Zhou took the complainant to his homestead after finding her father sleeping.

He is also reported to have smeared the toddler’s genitals with Vaseline during the rape.

Zhou pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape when he appeared before Beitbridge regional magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa on Wednesday.

However, he was convicted on the strength of the State’s evidence.

Prosecuting Mr Willbrought Muleya said on October 16, at around 1 pm, the complainant’s mother left her in the company of her husband (who was asleep) and two brothers playing in the yard as she went to a local grinding mill.

The accused later arrived and took the complainant and one of her brothers to his homestead.

At his homestead, he gave the brother some money and sent him to buy some items at a nearby tuck shop.

He raped the girl once after smearing her genitals with Vaseline. Zhou was caught in the act by the victim’s brother and he threatened both of them with unspecified action if told anyone about the incident.

The issue came to light when the mother found the complainant crying and inquired. She was then informed about the incident and, in turn, reported the matter to the police, who arrested Zhou.