Cross-border transporter jailed 36 years for raping daughter

A BEITBRIDGE cross-border transporter convicted of raping his child has been jailed for an effective 36 years by Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura who said society would frown at courts trivialising such offences.

“Courts are the upper guardians of children and should be seen to be handing deterrent sentences to sound warning to would-be offenders,” Bepura said. He said it was aggravating that the man had authority and influence over the defenceless child, he should have protected.

And their relationship was too close for him to make such a decision.

“The sentencing guideline allows up to 20 years for a count of rape. The seriousness of this offence is shown by that it even attracts a life sentence and the courts should look at that,” Bepura said.

“Besides, rape causes emotional and physical harm. In this case you were the parent of the child, and these rape cases are dehumanising. The whole community is shocked by this obnoxious and despicable act.

“Rape takes away self-esteem from the victim. Rape of women and children is a disease courts must fight. It is also aggravating that you committed this offence for ritual purposes.”

For the first and third offence committed when the girl was in Grade 7 in 2020 and last year in November the man was sentenced to 20 years for each of them. He got two years for indecent assault.

The court established that between 2020 and 2023 the man, who is a wellknown cross-border transporter, raped his daughter and impregnated her.

He later bought drugs to terminate the pregnancy and his wife administered the tablets.

The man denied all this and said his child framed him because he chased her from home after she had been impregnated by someone else, which the court dismissed as untrue.

Prior to sentencing, Bepura admonished the defence led by Muchineripi Nhire for bringing unacceptable documents and trying to delay the case.

Nhire brought unauthentic photocopied papers saying they were evidence that the father had not slept with her daughter.

“Lawyers should know what is required in court. They should also come to court prepared and not seek to waste time,” Bepura said.

Effectively the man will serve 36 years after 6 years were conditionally suspended for five years.

Wilbrought Muleya and Tsitsi Mutukwa prosecuted.