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Court reporter
A 37–year–old Harare man will spend the next 16 years in prison for raping his five-year-old niece who had been left in his custody while the mother attended a funeral. The man, who pleaded not guilty to rape charges, was convicted after a full trial. Harare magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya yesterday sentenced the man to 18 years in prison but two years were set aside on condition that for the next five years he will not commit an offence of a sexual nature.

The court heard that on October 22 this year, the man went to his sister’s place, the minor’s mother.
The minor’s mother told him she intended to attend a funeral. The minor was left in the custody of the uncle and her brother while the mother went away.

The court heard that the man sent the minor’s brother to buy some drinks. After the boy had left the man closed the windows and locked the door.

When the minor’s brother returned he found the door locked. The uncle refused to open the door for him accusing him of beating up his young sister. The man then laid the little girl on her mother’s bed, stripped her and raped her.  Two days later, on October 24, the minor narrated to her mother what had happened during her absence who reporter to the police.