Grandfather, 60, Jailed For 20 Years After “Trading” Granddaughter, 12, For Beer
A 60-year-old man from Nkayi who facilitated the rape of his 12-year-old granddaughter by their 19-year-old neighbour, in exchange for beer, has been jailed for 20 years alongside the perpetrator.
The pair, both from Pawu 1 Village, were convicted on three counts of rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla. The older man cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity.
In passing sentence, Mkandla noted the stark age gap between the two, with the principal offender aged 19 and his co-accused aged 60.
Both were sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
Prosecutor Tsungai Mutapi told the court that the teenager regularly bought beer for the grandfather and that the two often drank together.
The court heard that in return for the alcohol, they struck a deal allowing the 19-year-old to sexually abuse the girl.
The first offence occurred on 7 December last year, with two further assaults following.
“Acting on that agreement, at around 10 PM, the teenager went to the elderly man’s bedroom, where the complainant was sleeping with her two siblings,” said Mutapi.
According to the State, the teenager entered the complainant’s sleeping quarters during the night.
“When the complainant screamed, her grandfather feigned ignorance. The teenager then removed his clothes and raped the complainant,” said Mutapi.
The court heard the complainant first tried to report the abuse to her grandfather, but he told her to keep quiet.
The following day, the 19-year-old went back to the homestead, entered the girl’s sleeping quarters and raped her.
He did the same on a third occasion, under the same beer-for-access deal with the grandfather.
The matter only surfaced when the girl confided in her grandmother, who went to the police. Both accused were arrested, and the girl was sent for medical examination.
