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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A PLUMTREE man who raped his girlfriend’s 11 year-old daughter after luring the girl into her mother’s bedroom, was yesterday sentenced to 30 years in jail.

Akim Ndlovu, 21, of Tokwana village was convicted of two counts of rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate, Sibongile Marondedze.

He will serve an effective 25 years in jail after five years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime.

Marondedze, in her judgment, said although Ndlovu pleaded not guilty, there was enough evidence linking him to the crime.

“From the evidence before the court we are satisfied that the State has managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and you are accordingly found guilty as charged,” Marondedze ruled.

She expressed concern over the increase rape cases.

“The courts are worried by the increase in rape cases and this calls for deterrent sentences. You betrayed the trust bestowed on you by your girlfriend when you raped her daughter during her absence. What is aggravating is that instead of protecting the victim, you chose to rape her,” said Marondedze.

She said Ndlovu was a danger to his community and deserved a lengthy prison term.

“The court frowns at such kind of behaviour and cannot condone it. People like you should be removed from society because they are a danger to their communities. A clear message has to be sent to the community that rapists have no place in our modern society. In the circumstances, a lengthy prison term will meet the justice of the case,” ruled Marondedze.

Prosecuting, Concilia Ncube said sometime in 2014, Ndlovu visited the complainant’s mother at her home and the two spent the night together.

The court heard that on the following morning, the complainant’s mother left her daughter in the custody of Ndlovu as she went to fetch water.

Ndlovu took advantage of the absence of the complainant’s mother and invited her to the bedroom.

“He ordered her to remove her clothes after which he asked her to join him in bed before he went on to rape her,” said Ncube.

After committing the crime, Ndlovu threatened to assault the complainant if she reported the matter to anyone.