Staff reporter

A 21-year-old man from Marondera, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for repeatedly raping his 12-year-old step-daughter in 2023.

The court heard that in 2023, the victim and her two younger siblings were left in the custody of the accused, their stepfather, by their mother. On one occasion when the siblings fell asleep, the stepfather raped the 12-year-old girl.

The stepfather also raped the victim on three other occasions when she and her siblings were left in his care in her bedroom while she was sleeping, in the bush while they were fetching firewood, and while she was bathing.

The matter came to light in December 2023 when the victim confided in her aunt, who then reported the incidents to the police. The accused was subsequently arrested and convicted on four counts of rape.

The magistrate condemned the heinous actions of the stepfather, describing them as a "gross betrayal of trust" and sentencing him to 20 years in prison as a strong deterrent against such criminal behavior.