By Rangarirai Shanyurai
In a case of incest and sexual abuse, a 52-year-old man from Gutu was recently arraigned before the courts for raping his own 26-year-old mentally challenged daughter who also has visual and hearing impairments.
The perpetrator, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity was sentenced to 20 years behind bars by Masvingo Magistrate Innocent Bepura for the heinous crime.
In his defense, the accused however denied the charges saying the complainant’s mother was fabricating the story to get rid of him so she could stay with her boyfriend.
He argued that on the day in question, he went to the toilet and realized that his daughter was inside and went behind the toilet to relieve himself. He was however convicted after full trial.
It was the State’s case as presented by Prosecutor Liberty Hove that on December 2024 at around 0600 hours, the complainant went to the toilet to relieve herself and the accused followed her.
A few minutes later, the complainant’s mother went to the toilet and found the accused raping the complainant.
She allegedly confronted the accused who told her to leave him alone and she went away crying and later informed other community members.
One of the villagers reported the matter to the police which led to the arrest of the accused.
