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Tapiwa Mushonga Manicaland Correspondent
A 66-year-old Mutare man has been slapped with an effective 10-year jail term for raping his neighbour’s 11-year-old daughter.

Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe initially sentenced Isaac Masinga of Nyautonga Village under chief Muchena to 14 years behind bars before suspending four years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.

The court heard that on December 21, 2018, the minor was sent by her grandmother to the grinding mill at the convict’s home.

She poured her maize into the mill and went to sit outside waiting for Masinga, who was alone at his homestead, to finish grinding her mealie-meal.

After a few minutes the accused summoned the minor demanding payment for his services.

When she went to give him the money Masinga allegedly grabbed, forced her to the ground and raped her.

Masinga ordered the girl, who was crying to be quiet and threatened her with a machete. He only released her when he heard movements outside and ordered her to go home and not report the incident to anyone.