Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
A 31-YEAR-OLD married man from Mabhungu Village, Chiwundura area, in the Midlands Province has been sentenced to five years in prison for impregnating his 14-year-old sister.
The man, whose identity has been withheld to protect the minor’s identity, was convicted on his own of plea of guilty to incest by Gweru provincial Magistrate, Ms Beaulity Dube.
The offender will serve an effective four years after the magistrate suspended one year, on condition of good behaviour.
The court heard that the accused engaged in consensual sexual intercourse with his sister on several occasions between August and December last year resulting in the girl falling pregnant.
The matter came to light when the girl’s mother noticed her daughter’s growing belly and suspected pregnancy.
She took her to the Johane Masowe Church where it was confirmed that the girl was pregnant.
The matter was reported to the police who arranged for a medical examination at Gweru Provincial Hospital, which confirmed the pregnancy leading to the subsequent arrest of the man.
The offender, whose wife is also pregnant, claimed that his sister seduced him by dressing in a provocative manner.
He also claimed that his sister would demand to sit on his lap or be carried on his back.
Meanwhile, a Shurugwi magistrate, Ms Sithabile Zungula, has recused herself from presiding over the trial of Shurugwi Town ward 7 Councillor, Tapson Chitungo, citing reasons beyond her control.
Chitungo is facing fraud charges after he allegedly grabbed a piece of council land in the central business district and rented it to three unsuspecting tenants.
Ms Zungula said the matter will now be heard at Gweru Magistrates Court.
Chitungo was arrested in October 2024 and is out on bail.
Chitungo allegedly misrepresented to Carlson Tashaya (21) that he acquired a piece of land from Shurugwi Town Council, which he was leasing to Tashaya who was paying $115 in monthly rentals.
On a second count, Chitungo misrepresented to Faith Goromondo (18) that he acquired the land from the local authority and ordered the complainant to pay US$453 in rentals.
On the third count, Chitungo was allegedly paid US$250 as rentals after misrepresenting to Mandla Peter Ndlovu that the land was his.
On July 3, 2024, the tenants were served with eviction orders by the council but they resisted acting on Chitungo’s advice.
The complainants were evicted on July 15 last year and their structures were demolished by the municipal police.
They informed the local authority officials that they were renting the pieces of land from Chitungo, leading to his arrest.
mbulelo smpofu
