By Terrence Mawawa |Masvingo| A 63 year old man raped a 13 year old girl at knife point and infected her with a Sexually Transmitted Infection(STI) in the process.
Samuel Gozhori Ushe of Ushe Village in Bikita appeared before Masvingo Regional Magistrate Collet Ncube facing trial for three counts of rape. It is understood some time in February last year Ushe sneaked into the minor’s bedroom at around 8pm wielding a knife. While pointing the knife at the minor Ushe threatened to cut her head off if she resisted. He the forcibly removed her clothes and had sexual intercourse with the minor once.
Ushe came to the complainant’s house on again on different dates and raped her after threatening to cut off her head. The matter came to light when the girl fell sick and as she sought medical attention it was discovered clear signs of an STI were noticeable. The matter was reported to the police leading to Ushe’s arrest. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The motive behind the crime could not be established. Following the latest ruling on child marriages and abuse of minors, cases of such magnitude are likely to top the list in the country’s courts and human rights and children’s right groups have strongly condemned paedophilic tendencies.
Women and Children’s rights groups are calling for stiffer penalties against perpetrators of such crimes. Local villagers expressed shock at Ushe’s behaviour.