Gweru (New Ziana)- A 22-year-old man from Hlupo village in Zvishavane, the Midlands province was recently sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping an 88-year-old octogenarian.
Talent Mandonga will serve an effective sixteen years in prison after Gweru Magistrate Christopher Maturure suspended two years of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.
Public prosecutor Sibongile Dube told the court that on June 17 this year, at around 11 PM, the 88-year-old complainant was asleep in her bedroom hut when she was awakened by Mandonga who wanted to gain entry.
Mandonga force opened the door using a metal object and managed to locate the granny who was hiding behind the door.
“Mandonga pushed the complainant and she fell down and she tried to scream for help but the accused closed her mouth with his one hand while using his other hand to strangle her neck pressing her down.
“The accused had unprotected sexual intercourse with the complainant twice without her consent,” she said.
Mandonga went on to slap the complainant several times on the face, demanding money from her. He further assaulted the complainant with clenched fists and kicked her on her back several times.
He stopped assaulting after he saw some torch lights from neighbours, and he ran away.
A neighbour, Trust Tauro, came to the rescue of the old woman after hearing her screams for help.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Mandonga’s arrest.
New Ziana
