Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – Tawanda Chikarango (23) from Muzorori village in Gutu will serve an effective 16 year jail term after magistrate Dambudzo Malunga found him guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl.
Two years of his original 18 year jail time were suspended on condition that does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
On passing judgment, the magistrate said the accused deserved a lengthy sentence to send a message to potential rapists.
“A long sentence is appropriate to send a message to the people out there that the courts will continue to protect innocent girls,” said Malunga
It was the State’s case that in May 2016, Chikarango approached the complainant and her friend aged 12 (names supplied) who were heading cattle in the bush.
He proposed love to them but they turned him down. He went away for some time and came back dressed in different clothes and armed with a knife.local
