‘Test meter’ rapist jailed for nine years

A MAN from Filabusi will spend the next nine years in prison after he raped his 12year-old neighbour and left her for dead in a bush.

Khumbulani Ncube (27) of Thugulula village under Chief Maduna told the minor he would use his manhood as a ‘test meter’ to ascertain if she was still a virgin.

He lured the girl from her home on the pretext of going for a church service.

Ncube pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape but Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Joseph Mabeza, convicted him due to overwhelming evidence.

He sentenced him to 10 years in prison and conditionally suspended one year for five years.

In his defence, Ncube said he was in love with the minor and engaged in sex with her assuming that she was 17 years old.

“I beg for leniency from this court. I was in love with her. When I engaged in sex with her I thought she was an adult. I apologise,” said Ncube.

Mr Mabeza said the courts would not condone sexual abuse and deterrent sentences were appropriate.

“Accused person you took advantage of the minor who looked up to you as a brother and abused her. Cases of church men raping or abusing women and young girls are on the increase hence a clear message should be sent out to society to deter would be offenders,” said Mr Mabeza.

The court heard that on May 24, Ncube went to the girl’s parents’ house at around 6AM and requested to take her to church.

Along the way, he told the girl that he wanted to test her to ascertain whether she was still a virgin.

Ncube told her that could only happen by inserting his manhood into her private parts.

He then raped the girl once and warned her not to tell anyone.

The matter only came to light early this month when he followed the girl where she had been sent to fetch firewood by her granny.

He raped the girl until she felt excruciating pain and left her unable to walk and disappeared.

The granny made a follow up and found her lying half naked in the bushes, unable to walk.

The minor said Ncube had raped her and a police report was made leading to his arrest.