20 Years Jail For Masvingo Man (30) Who Raped Niece (10) Twice, For US$1 In Presence Of 3Minors

MASVINGO: A man raped his 10-year-old niece in full view of three other minors before giving them a $1 each to buy their silence, a local court heard on Thursday.

Tafirei Moyo, 30, from Chidza Farm pleaded not guilty to the offence when he first appeared before regional magistrate Judith Zuyu but was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour.

His trial, which lasted for a week, saw prosecutors calling in three children aged 6, 8, 11 to stand as witnesses, detailing how Moyo raped his niece while they watched.

Magistrate Zuyu said Moyo had shown cruelty not only to his victim but to the three other children who will, for the rest of their lives, be haunted by the horrible sights of watching him forcing himself on a minor.

She said Moyo had also not shown remorse during the course of the trial as he stuck to his guns, denying ever committing the crime.

Prosecutor Moreblessing Rusere told the court that on 21 June this year during the afternoon Moyo raped the minor once and promised to give her $3 to buy sweets later in day after the abuse.

The court heard that, later in the day Moyo followed his niece where she was playing with other children at an isolated hut in the family’s homestead and ordered the minors to be silent as he repeated the crime before buying their silence.

The vile attacks came to light soon after Moyo left the homestead. One of the minors rushed to the victim’s parents and alerted them to their daughter’s abuse.

A police report was made leading to Moyo’s arrest.

The girl was rushed to Masvingo provincial hospital and a medical report was produced in court as evidence. source-newzimbabwe