ZIMBABWE – A depraved Chimanimani couple was sentenced to 11-years each in jail after they connived to rape a 14-year-old juvenile.
Diamond Mupeta (24) who was employed as a security guard at Gwendingwe Estate in Chimanimani and his wife Prosperity Marange (20) were convicted on their own guilty pleas when they recently appeared before Chipinge regional magistrate, Farisi Chakanyuka, facing rape charges
It is in the States case that on the 6th of April, Marange went to the complainant’s homestead and asked the sister to allow the complainant to look after her maize fields in her absence.
The complainant’s sister allowed Marange to take the complainant to her homestead and chase away baboons from the fields.
The court heard that Marange left for an unknown destination and upon her return, she asked the complainant to marry her husband, Mupeta, who was also in the hut.
The complainant reportedly turned down Marange’s request, arguing that she was still too young for marriage.
However, Marange continued pestering her and also told her that she also got married at a young age. Marange forcefully grabbed the complainant’s left hand and closed the door.
It is further alleged that Mupeta requested to be intimate with the complainant, but she refused.
After she refused, Mupeta went on to push the complainant to the ground and she screamed for help.
In an effort to silence her screams, Marange allegedly gagged her mouth with a blanket.
Manica Post reports that Marange then went out of the hut and left Mupeta to rape the juvenile.
After the act, Mupeta told the complainant not to tell anyone. He left the hut and went back to Gwendingwe Estate. Marange later accompanied the complainant home and also instructed her not to divulge the assault to anyone.
The matter only came to light on April 8 when the complainant’s sister discovered that she was having difficulties in walking.
When she was quizzed, the complainant narrated what had transpired and a report was made to the police, thereby leading to the couple’s arrest.
