Tinashe Zisengwe
A couple from Zvishavane has been sentenced to a combined 24 years in prison for kidnapping a 14-year-old girl before the wife assisted her husband to rape the minor.
Philemon Tauze Moyo (31) and his wife Netsai Sibanda (26) of Mhike Village under Chief Mazvihwa, Zvishavane appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Morgan Nemadire.
Philemon was facing two counts of kidnapping and rape.
On the other hand Netsai was facing her own counts of kidnapping and facilitating her husband to rape the minor.
The duo pleaded guilty to the charges.
However Moyo will effectively serve 12 years as Nemadire suspended three years of his sentence on condition of good behavior.
Netsai was sentenced to nine years in prison of which three years where suspended on condition of good behavior and will serve six years.
Prosecuting Kelvin Guvheya told the court that on January 25 around 7am Netsai approached the complainant who was on her way to Matoti Village in Zvishavane.
The court heard that she asked the complainant to accompany her to her homestead so that she could give her something she had kept for her.
“The complainant agreed and when they reached the homestead, Sibanda asked her if she could put up for the night saying her husband would be away,” said Guvheya.
The court heard that the minor agreed since her mother was away for the night.
He said at around 8pm that evening the accused was told to sleep in the same bedroom hut with the couple.
During the night Philemon woke up and started caressing the complainant who resisted until Sibanda woke up, grabbed, pinned her down before he went on to undress and raped her.
Upon coming back from the funeral the mother realized that the child was not at home, she then started looking for her and could not find her.
The mother then reported to the police that her daughter was missing, through the police’s investigation it was heard that the child was with Moyo couple , leading to the two’s arrest.
