Married man (42) impregnates minor (15)

A 42-YEAR-OLD married Chipinge man was on Tuesday arraigned before the courts for impregnating a 15-year-old girl.

Khauleza Sorota, who is employed at Chingombe Farm as a general worker appeared before Mr Poterai Gwezhira facing charges of bedding a minor.

He pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

The state led by Ms Edith Phiri proved that on a date unknown to the prosecutor, but during the month of August 2016, Sorota met the complainant, whose name cannot be disclosed since she is a minor at his workplace.

“Sorota greeted the complainant and went on to propose love to her and the complainant accepted. On a date unknown to the State, but during the same month, the accused person met the complainant in a bushy area where they slept together.

“The two continued seeing each other during that month and they slept together,” she said

Ms Phiri said the complainant’s mother later discovered that her daughter was in love with the suspect and she warned her against the relationship.

“The matter came to light in March when the complainant was accompanied to Chipinge Prison Clinic where she was confirmed to be pregnant. The case was reported to ZRP Chipinge Rural resulting in Sorota’s arrest.”

In mitigation, Sorota pleaded for leniency, saying the complainant lied her age to him.

“Your Worship, she lied to me that she was 20-years-old. I was not intending to impregnate a juvenile who is 15-yearsold.”