Rapist caught red-handed

By Thandeka Moyo

AN INSUZA orphan was caught red-handed raping a Grade 3 pupil after she had visited his homestead to collect a needle.

The orphan, who claimed that he was 16 years old, appeared before regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere and pleaded guilty to rape.

He said he has no birth certificate or a birth record to ascertain or confirm his exact age, but a clinical examination done by a Mpilo Central Hospital dentist estimated that he was between 19 and 20 years old.

Another dentist at the same hospital estimated that the girl, who also does not have a birth certificate or a birth record, was aged between eight and nine.

Magistrate Mberewere convicted and remanded the alleged rapist in custody to Monday and tasked prosecutors to confirm his correct age as it has a huge bearing on his sentence.

“You’ll come back to court on Monday where you’ll hear your sentence after the state has established your age,” the magistrate told the rapist, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

In mitigation, the rapist said he was born on July 23, 1998, and both his parents are dead, which made it difficult for him to get a birth certificate or a birth record number.

Prosecutor Trust Muduma told the court that on September 8 this year, the victim went to his homestead at around 2PM to collect a needle and found him alone.

He dragged the girl to a hut and raped her once, but was caught by the girl’s brother who had followed to check why she was taking long. Chronicle