Man impregnates, marries stepdaughter
In an incident that has left Chiwundura villagers in shock, a 34-year-old man impregnated his 15-year-old stepdaughter before marrying her as his second wife.
The man (name withheld) of Kurima-Kwakanaka Village under Chief Chiwundura in Gweru, proposed to the 15-year-old girl in September last year and the two had an affair under his wife’s nose.
The lovebirds would sleep together each time the girl’s mother was away.
However, the matter came to light when the girl’s mother got a tip-off from fellow villagers to the effect that her daughter was dating her husband behind her back and the girl later revealed that she had been dating her stepfather for over nine months and was already carrying his child.
The man later married the girl to become his second wife and they started living together as husband and wife.
Meanwhile, the man and his stepdaughter (wife) were yesterday arraigned before Gweru magistrate, Ms Judith Taruvinga charged with incest.
He pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced to an effective 28 months in prison while his stepdaughter/wife, who also pleaded not guilty, was convicted and sentenced to five months wholly suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The State’s case was that the man, who was married to the girl’s mother, proposed to his stepdaughter in September last year.
The court heard that during the period extending from September last year to June this year, the two had an incestuous relationship resulting in the girl falling pregnant.
The man, the court heard, went on to marry the girl as his second wife.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the two’s arrest.
During cross examination, the man told the court that he intended to give the girl a second child as soon as he was released from prison.
The girl also told the court that she was madly in love with her stepfather and would wait for him while he served his sentence. She said the man was the only one who could satisfy her sexually.
Mr Josphat Sibanda appeared for the State. Sunday News
