Couple in trouble over rape and pregnancy termination

A COUPLE is in trouble after the husband allegedly raped and impregnated their tenants’ teenage daughter while his wife later gave her abortion pills to terminate the pregnancy.

Daniel Sagwidza (60) and his wife, Shylet Kupfuwa (39) of Western Triangle, appeared separately on rape and unlawful termination of pregnancy charges. The 16-year-old girl used to reside at the couple’s home with her parents.

The State said the girl was at home with her younger sibling when Sagwidza came and sat next to her on the carpet in the living room.

Sagwidza allegedly told the girl that he wanted to give her money in exchange for sex.

He tore her clothes, raped her and then gave her US$20.

The State said Sagwidza then raped the girl on several occasions until July last year.

The matter came to light when the girl’s mother asked why she wasn’t using her sanitary pads.

She then conducted a pregnancy test on her which tested positive.

When the mother asked who had impregnated her, the girl revealed that Sagwidza had raped her on multiple occasions.

Kupfuwa allegedly then gave the girl pills to terminate the pregnancy.

Kupfuwa appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi who remanded her in custody pending bail considerations.

Sagwidza appeared before regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei who remanded him in custody and advised him to approach the High Court for bail considerations. Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man from Epworth appeared before magistrate Ndirowei accused of raping his biological daughter on multiple occasions.

He threatened to kill her if she revealed the matter to anyone. The rape was exposed when he severely assaulted her for having a boyfriend, and she told her mother about her ordeal.

The man pleaded guilty to the offence.