BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
A polygamous member of the Marange Apostolic Sect, customarily married to four wives, Vote Mashavira, from Garikai Hlalani Kuhle high density suburbs in Masvingo will spend the next two decades in prison for raping a twelve-year-old juvenile. He was sentenced by Masvingo magistrate, Bishard Chineka, last week on Friday.
Mashavira, who argued that he was given the little girl by his in laws as a token of appreciation, pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a full trial due to overwhelming evidence.
The prosecutor, Liberty Hove told the court that on an unknown date but during the month of August last year and in the morning, Mashavira`s fourth wife left home proceeding to Chitima Flea Market where she is self-employed leaving the juvenile in the custody of Mashavira. Mashavira then went into the room where the juvenile was sleeping, removed the blankets which the juvenile was putting on and gave her US$0,50 to go and buy some eggs. When the juvenile came back Mashavira had already finished cooking some rice which the two began to eat. Whilst the two were eating Mashavira went closer to where the juvenile was sitting and forced her to lie down before proceeding on to rape her.
The juvenile did not scream for help since she was threatened by Mashavira. She was told not to divulge the matter to anyone. Mashavira continued to have sexual intercourse with the juvenile on several occasions whenever his wife left home for Chitima Flea Market.
On the 10th of December last year, at around 2300 hours, the juvenile`s brother, Vakai Mavhima paid a visit to Mashavira`s homestead. The juvenile narrated her ordeal to him. Mavhima then accompanied her to Z.R.P Chikato where a report and referral to hospital for medical examination was made as the culprit was subsequently incarcerated.