Man jailed 15 years for raping woman who rejected his love proposal

A 19-year-old man from Zezani area in Beitbridge has been sent to prison for an effective 15 years for assaulting and raping a woman (21) who turned down his love proposal.

 

Stanly Sebata who fell asleep at the crime scene was convicted on one count of rape following a full trial at the Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Court this week.

 

In a statement on Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said Sebata committed the offense on July 19 in 2024.

 

 

“The Beitbridge regional magistrate court has sentenced 19-year-old Stanly Sebata to 15 years’ imprisonment following his conviction for rape,” said the NPAZ.

 

“On July 19 in 2024 at around 2300 hours, the 21-year-old complainant was walking towards her home after work when the offender proposed to her.

 

“After she turned down his advances, the offender followed her to her homestead and attacked her”.

 

The NPAZ said the woman briefly escaped to her mother’s house where the offender followed and continued the assault and he threatened her with a knife.

 

After which Sebata force marched the woman to a nearby building, where he raped her twice.

 

He then fell asleep, allowing the woman to escape and alert her family who reported to the police who swiftly arrested Sebata on the scene.

 

“Rape is a serious offence with lasting physical, emotional and psychological effects,” said the NPAZ.

 

“The NPAZ remains committed to the swift and effective prosecution of sexual violence and urges the public to report such crimes promptly”.

 

Herald