Story by Courage Bushe
A 52-year-old man from Mberengwa has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of raping his 14-year-old niece.
It is the State’s case that, on a date unknown to the prosecutor, during the year 2021, the 14-year-old complainant was staying with the accused, Tavonga Mucheri, at his home.
Staying in one room with his three children and the complainant, Mucheri was found to have raped his niece once at night.
It was further established that the uncle threatened her with death if she revealed the matter to anyone.
The court heard that Mucheri continued with his shenanigans until 2022 before the complainant relocated to Beitbridge to stay with her aunt.
The matter came to light in January 2025, when Mucheri tried to rape his niece when she came back to Mberengwa to stay with her mother.
The complainant managed to escape and revealed the matter to her mother, leading to the arrest of Mucheri.
The accused was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
