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Sylvester Chiramba, Court Reporter
A 19-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has been sentenced to three years in prison for attempting to rape a Form Three pupil.

Lloyd Maseko from Mzilikazi suburb tried to rape the 15-year-old girl on December 6 while she was on her way to school before some members of the Johane Masowe church who were praying near the area intervened.

Maseko appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube yesterday charged with attempted rape.

He was convicted on his own plea of guilty.

Ms Dube sentenced him to three years in prison.

One year was suspended for good behaviour and he will serve two years effectively.

Ms Dube told Maseko that he had committed an offence that was not to be taken lightly.

“You have committed a very serious offence,” she said.

“Control your feelings. It is not the court’s job to control your feelings for you.”

Prosecuting Mrs Sindisiwe Ncube told the court that on December 6 at around noon, Maseko approached the girl from behind with the intention of raping her while she was passing a bushy area on her way to school.

“Maseko held the girl by the throat and she fell down” she said.

“While on the ground Maseko threatened the girl with an okapi knife telling her to be silent. The girl panicked and screamed thereby alerting some members of the Johane Masowe Church who were praying nearby.”

The court heard that Maseko realised that there were people nearby and ran away.

Casper Msebele who was among the Johane Masowe members pursued Maseko and made a citizen’s arrest.

Maseko was taken to the police station.

@SlyCee10