A 26-year-old man from Silobela has been sentenced to an effective 15 years for raping and impregnating his 18-year-old mentally challenged niece.

The uncle, of Zihawu in Silobela, Kwekwe, appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa last week facing several counts of rape.

Mrs Msipa initially sentenced him to 17 years in prison before suspending two years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

The uncle was convicted after a full trial despite having pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In his defence, the uncle told the court that he was in love with his niece after proposing love to her and she had accepted. Mrs Msipa in passing sentence said the man should have a long prison stay because he had taken advantage of his mentally challenged niece.

State Media