Rezende Tout Jailed 15 Years For Raping Grade 7 School Girl, 13, In Parked Kombi
A Harare tout who preyed on a young schoolgirl at one of the city’s busiest ranks will spend the next decade and a half behind bars after a regional magistrate handed down a 15-year prison sentence. Givemore Mutape, 25, was convicted of raping a 13-year-old Grade 7 learner inside a parked commuter omnibus at the Rezende Street terminus in July last year, bringing an end to a case that has shaken the local community.
Court Hears Of Brazen Attack In Broad Daylight
The full details of the attack emerged during the trial before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Fadzai Mthombeni. The State, led by Mr Kudakwashe Muza, presented evidence that on July 19 last year, the young complainant had left her home around midday to collect money for extra lessons from her stepfather at the corner of Leopold Takawira and Jason Moyo streets. After receiving US$10 (approximately R185) from him, she began the journey back home.
At the Rezende Parkade rank, as she waited to board a commuter omnibus to Marlborough, touts began obstructing her from entering the vehicle. It was then that Mutape allegedly approached the girl, offering assistance under false pretences.
“Mutape approached the girl, offered to help and ordered her into a white commuter omnibus that was parked nearby,” the court heard. “She complied and sat alone in the back passenger seat. Mutape followed her into the kombi, locked the doors, placed a white cloth over her mouth and raped her.”
The court was told that Mutape later released the victim, who returned home. The matter only came to light two days later, on July 21, when the girl’s uncle visited her school and raised concerns that she had returned home late from town. The complainant was then interviewed by her teacher and disclosed the sexual assault.
Tout Denies Charges In Bizarre Defence
The Herald reports that when Mutape appeared before the court, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. In his defence, he made a startling claim to magistrates, telling the court he was not a tout but rather repaired car radios for a living. He asserted that on the day in question, he had been repairing a commuter omnibus radio at the rank.
The accused also challenged the court to have him medically examined, claiming he could not have engaged in sexual activity because he did not have testicles. However, the court rejected this defence after a full trial, and Mutape was convicted of raping the minor.
The accused first appeared in court in September last year before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, where he was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. He was scheduled to return to court on October 13. The matter has now concluded with the sentencing at the Harare regional magistrates’ court.
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The post Rezende Tout Jailed 15 Years For Raping Grade 7 School Girl As Court Throws Out Bizarre Defence appeared first on iHarare News.
