Zimbabwe: The case referring to the bid by an old man aged 53 of Beitbridge, cross border transporter, to stop his trial for raping his daughter over three years from August 2020, when she was 13, now goes to the defence, after the local, regional magistrate dismissed his application for discharge after the State made its case.
The Regional Magistrate of Beitbridge – Innocent Bepura, stated that the man had a case to answer, and so he has to be put on defence from tomorrow, Jan 23, 2024.
With the help of his lawyer – Muchineripi Nhire, the father has denied three charges of rape. The man was accused of raping his daughter from the previous marriage and planning with his new wife to abort the pregnancy from rape in Dec 2023 illegally.
The stepmother, aged 47, was already jailed for four years for causing the illegal abortion.
Prosecutor – Tsitsi Mutukwa said that in August 2020, the father arrived home at night and found his 13-year-old daughter in the company of her stepmother and other children.
Late in the evening that day, when everyone retired to bed, he stayed with her and helped the girl with school holiday work. He then caressed and raped her while she sat on his lap.
The man then tried to rape the girl in her bedroom in Oct 2022 but failed after finding that her elder sister was also sleeping in the same room. He again raped her in Sep 2023 after creeping up on her when she fell asleep while watching a programme on the television.
Later that month, the girl realised that she was pregnant and told a church leader in Nov 2023, who then reported the case to a local pastor. On Dec 03, 2023, the stepmother discovered the pregnancy and questioned the girl.
When she heard that her husband was involved, the stepmother bought some medication to terminate the pregnancy as a way of concealing the offence.
Reportedly, the abortion was highlighted when one of her friends told the religious leader and the matter was then reported to the police. She was then taken to Beitbridge District Hospital for medical attention and a check-up.
The couple was arrested, and the medication used in the illegal abortion was also recovered from their house.