Man sentenced to 21 years for sexual abuse of young girls
Providence Moyo
Hwange, Zimbabwe – A 26-year-old man from Jotsholo has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for sexually abusing two young girls who are his nieces. The accused, whose name is not released for the safety of the children , was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and one count of rape by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident occurred in March 2024. The first complainant, a 12-year-old girl, and her younger sister, aged 9, were left in the care of their uncle, the accused.“The accused took advantage of his position of trust and began to sexually abuse the girls,” said the NPAZ. “He entered their bedroom and fondled their breasts and genitals, threatening them with disappearance if they told anyone.”
The abuse came to light when the older sister confided in her aunt, who had visited from Bulawayo. The aunt immediately reported the matter to the authorities, leading to the accused’s arrest.In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, the evidence presented by the prosecution was compelling, and the magistrate found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The accused was sentenced to 12 months in prison for each count of indecent assault and a further 20 years for the rape charge. The sentences will run consecutively.
