A 29-year-old Zimbabwean man was sentenced to an effective 12-year prison term for raping his nine-year-old sister.

The man had pleaded not guilty to a rape charge when he appeared before a local magistrate, Ms Mavis Kudumba. She slapped him with a 13 years and six months prison term. Kudumba suspended 18 months of the sentence on condition of good behaviour and that he does not commit a similar crime in the next five years.

In passing sentence, Ms Kudumba said rape was a serious offence, hence the need to punish offenders severely.

The State, led by prosecutor Mr Nyasha Chengeta, said on August 4 this year the victim retired to bed with her mother at around 22:00. The two were sharing the same room.

Later that night, the man entered the room and sneaked into his sister’s blankets. He undressed her and raped her once after which he remained in the house. After about 30 minutes, four goats entered the room, making some noise which wakened the mother. The victim then told her mother that her brother had raped her.

They made a police report, leading to the man´s arrest.