A MAN from Jambezi in Hwange District under Chief Shana has
been slapped with a six-year jail term after being convicted of having sexual
intercourse with a minor.
Changwenta Zulu (27) who was initially facing three counts
of rape was, however, convicted of a lesser charge of having sexual intercourse
with a 15-year-old girl.
Hwange regional magistrate Mr Collet Ncube ruled that the
evidence had shown that the sexual intercourse was consensual before sentencing
Zulu to six years imprisonment. Two years of the sentence were suspended on
condition of good behaviour.
Zulu denied raping the 15-year-old girl arguing that the
sex was consensual as he was in a love affair with her.
“Your worship, I did not rape the complainant, we are
actually in love and the sex was consensual. In all the times we slept together
she agreed to it I did not force her as alleged by the State,” said Zulu.
The court heard that during the month of June 2018, Zulu
asked the girl who had visited his homestead to accompany him to Milonga
Clinic. Before leaving he called her into his bedroom hut where he pushed her
to the ground and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. After
the act, Zulu instructed her not to reveal the matter to anyone.
On another occasion during the same month the complainant
was sent to Zulu’s homestead to collect a blanket.
Upon collecting it Zulu offered to accompany her before
suggesting that they use a shortcut. On the way he suddenly grabbed her by the
shoulder, pushed her to the ground and had sex without her consent.
Zulu repeated the offence again in July 2018 where he
waylaid the complainant after convincing her to use a shortcut after she was
sent to collect relish at his homestead. The complainant did not reveal the
matter to anyone until the matter came to light when her aunt discovered that
she was pregnant.
The aunt reported the matter to the police leading to
Zulu’s arrest.
Mr Vumizulu Mbudi Mangena prosecuted. Sunday News
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