Harare man (20), sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for raping a 16-year-old Mughodhi Church mate after a youth meeting

A 20-YEAR-OLD Harare man, Gerald Gatsi, was yesterday sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for raping a 16-year-old churchmate after a youth meeting.Gatsi will spend the next 10 years behind bars after four years were suspended on condition of good behaviour by regional magistrate, Hosiah Mujaya.

According to evidence presented in court, Gatsi and the complainant (name withheld) are members of Mughodhi Church and were attending a church services in Retreat Park, Waterfalls.

The court heard on May 21 this year, the girl was on her way from a church service Gatsi had also attended, when she saw him following her in the company of an unidentified person.

Gatsi is said to have caught up with the girl, pushed her off the road and felled her into a pit.

At that point, the person, who was accompanying Gatsi, ran away leaving the two at the scene.

The court heard, while in the pit, Gatsi raped the teenager and after that he left, leaving his victim at the scene.

After the sexual assault, the teenager did not report the matter, but on the following day, she then spilled the beans to her mother, who reported the abuse to one Marevanhema, a church youth leader.

Marevanhema promised to take up the issue with the pastor so that the matter would be discussed.

The court heard the matter was then discussed and it was agreed that Gatsi should pay the complainant’s parents $250 and one beast as damages following which an agreement was signed by both parties.

From the day that the agreement was signed, the court heard, the complainant’s mother fell ill and was admitted at a local hospital.

After recovering from her illness, the complainant’s mother then phoned Gatsi’s relatives claiming what was due to her and was told Gatsi could not be located. She then made a police report, leading to his arrest.

George Manokore appeared for the State. source-newsday