Gweru (New Ziana) -A 40- year old man from Lower Gweru in the Midlands province who raped his nine year old daughter twice on the same day has been sentenced to 20 years in jail.

Philemon Zulu of Tekwane village, Chief Bunina, Lower Gweru pleaded guilty to two counts of rape as defined in section 65 of the Criminal Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9.23.

Gweru regional magistrate Phathekile Msipa sentenced Zulu to 20 years in jail, of which three years were suspended on condition of good behavior.

He will serve an effective 17 years in prison.

In his defence, Zulu told the court his daughter was actually raped by goblins since he had visited a traditional doctor in Mkoba and was given two sticks that will bring him luck.

Agreed facts presented in court by prosecutor Kelvin Guvheya are that on 23 November 2019 at around 1500 hours, Zulu returned home and found his Grade 3 daughter alone as she had been left by her mother who had gone to Insukamini Irrigation Scheme for piece jobs.

He then ordered the girl to bring him water for bathing in the bedroom where he raped her once. After the girl had cleaned herself, Zulu summoned her to his bedroom and repeated the same act.

At about 1700 hours, the mother returned and found her daughter sleeping outside the house which was unusual of her.

She then questioned her daughter who informed her that her father had sexually abused her.

The mother reported the matter to the police and Zulu was arrested.

New Ziana