Cephas Shava
A 69-year old Mwenezi man raped a 12-year-old girl and thereafter paid compensation in the form two cows and money to the girl’s parents to avoid the case being reported to the police.
Appearing before magistrate Mandlenkosi Ndlovu recently, Solomon Chipfeka of Village One Wedza Block under Chief Mazetese, was not formally charged of rape but was remanded in custody pending trial.
Although the accused was not asked to plead in court when he was advised of the nature of the charges he was facing, he admitted the offence.
“What was read before me is exactly what transpired and I have nothing to alter. I did it and I have nothing to deny,” Chipfeka told the court.
Presented by prosecutor Caroline Pasipanodya the State case is that on unknown date but in November 2016, Chipfeka approached the girl who was bathing alone in the river.
He called the girl to come closer to him but the minor ran away but he chased her until he caught her. He then trapped the minor to the ground and dragged her to the nearby bush where he raped her once.
Upon committing the offence, Chipfeka went into hiding in Mberengwa only to be arrested recently after detectives were tipped of his whereabouts.
According to State papers, while hiding in Mberengwa, Chipfeka negotiated and paid two cows and money amounting to $200 to the minor’s parents as an out-of-court settlement.
