A 34-year-old Mberengwa man has been handed a 34-year prison sentence by the Zvishavane Regional Magistrates’ Court for repeatedly raping his niece, which resulted in her falling pregnant.
During the month of April 2025, the offender targeted his 12-year-old niece, who was a Grade 7 pupil.
Over the course of four separate nights, while the victim was sleeping alone in the kitchen hut, the offender would enter, remove her blankets, and forcibly have unprotected sexual intercourse with her.
The victim was able to identify her uncle each time using the light from a torch she kept on in the kitchen.
The traumatised victim did not disclose to anyone.
In May 2025, she realised she had missed her period and informed the offender, who confirmed she was pregnant and gave her money to run away from home.
The matter came to light after the girl went missing and was eventually found at a homestead at Macadam Mine.
She subsequently revealed the abuse during an interview.
The court ordered the sentences for Counts 1 and 2 to run concurrently, and the sentences for Counts 3 and 4 to run concurrently.
The offender will serve an effective 34 years in prison.
