Zimpapers Logo

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
A 17-YEAR-OLD boy from Filabusi has been sentenced to receive four strokes of a rattan cane after he intercepted a 12-year-old girl on her way from school, tied her to a tree and raped her.

The teenager was convicted on his own plea of guilty to rape by Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira.

Mr Dzira sentenced him to receive four strokes that will be administered with a rattan cane at Gwanda Prison.

Prosecuting, Mr Pernson Chekeya said the teenager first set his dogs on the girl and her friends.

“On November 1, 2018 at around 3PM, the juvenile, who is in Grade Five, was coming from school in the company of her friends when they saw the accused approaching them accompanied by two brown dogs.

“The accused set his dogs on the children who then fled in different directions. He pursued the complainant and grabbed her satchel but she let it go and escaped. The complainant later realised that the accused was no longer chasing after her and went back to look for her satchel,” he said.

Mr Chekeya said the juvenile met the accused on her way back and he dragged her into a bush. She tried to scream but he threatened to beat her up with a stick that he was carrying.

Mr Chekeya said the accused then ordered the juvenile to lie down on the ground before tying her hands to a tree trunk using a rope.

“The accused then raped the juvenile and while he was committing the offence, he heard voices of the juvenile’s mother and uncle calling the complainant’s name. The accused picked up his clothes and fled from the scene naked.

“The complainant’s uncle pursued the accused but failed to catch him. The complainant’s mother untied her daughter and led her home.

“The matter was reported to the police resulting in the accused’s arrest,” he said. — @DubeMatutu