Gracious Lamula, from Sojini Village, was convicted of rape
by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Dambudzo Malunga.
However, Lamula will serve an effective 15 years after
three years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that he
does not commit a similar offence within that period.
In passing the sentence, Mrs Malunga stated that the
aggravating factors outweighed any mitigating circumstances.
“It is undisputed that the offender and the victim knew
each other before the incident, as they had met in the bar and drank together.
The victim clearly told the court that she did not consent to the sexual act,
while the offender insisted that she had,” she said.
The magistrate said the courts have a duty to protect
vulnerable members of society by imposing severe sentences on sexual predators.
“The offender raped a vulnerable member of society, and the
court will impose a lengthy prison term to send a clear message that such
crimes will not be tolerated. The offender will thus serve the prison term
without the option of a fine,” she ruled.
Lamula, in his defence, claimed that the sexual encounter
was consensual and alleged that the complainant falsely accused him because he
had not paid her the extra money she demanded.
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari told the court that on March 8,
at around 10am, Lamula and the complainant were drinking beer together at Fingo
Business Centre in Mbembesi when Lamula suggested they go to the Mbembesi
Police Station canteen for sex.
“On their way, they approached a football pitch where
Lamula pretended he needed to relieve himself and left the victim behind,” said
Mr Mugari.
The court heard that Lamula then attacked the victim from
behind, and tripped her to the ground. When the woman tried to scream, Lamula
covered her mouth to muffle her cries before raping her. Chronicle
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