Harare (New Ziana) –In a demonstration that sexual relations with underage girls has no place in Zimbabwean society, a 45-year-old man from Mubaira, Mhondoro has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for having sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last September assented to the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Bill which criminalises sexual relations with girls under the age of 18, the age of majority, even in instances where the girl consented.

In a post on X, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) reported that in August this year, the offender got into a relationship with the juvenile and they subsequently engaged in consensual sexual intercourse at his home in September.

On October 19, the juvenile eloped with the man and they lived together as husband and wife. The offence came to light when the juvenile’s sister found out on October 23 leading to the offender’s arrest.

The NPAZ said: “This case serves as a reminder that sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 18 has no place in our society. Let us raise awareness and work towards a safer future for our girls.”

Meanwhile, a Chipinge man was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old Grade 5 pupil.

The NPAZ said the 23-year-old rapist from Chief Mutema area, Chipinge was convicted by the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court for raping a 14 year old who stays in the same village with him.

The State case was that on July 27 last year, the rapist saw the complainant walking alone from school and dragged her into a nearby thicket where he raped her before walking away.

The complainant narrated her ordeal to her sister who filed a police report leading to the rapist arrest.

New Ziana