19-Year-Old Rapes, Impregnates and Infects 13-Year-Old Girl
Coghlianmore Blessed Sibanda, a 19-year-old man, has been acquitted by the Hwange Regional Court of charges involving the rape, impregnation, and infection of a 13-year-old girl.
The court heard that on April 22, 2024, Sibanda encountered the girl and her younger sister at a local football pitch and offered them accommodation.
The trio later visited a shop where Sibanda was employed, and he subsequently led the complainant to a private room.
According to allegations, Sibanda forced himself on the girl despite her resistance. The incident came to light when the girl fell ill, prompting her mother to report the case to the police.
While there was evidence suggesting a sexual assault had occurred, the court may have struggled to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that it constituted rape. The specific reasons for the acquittal have not been disclosed.
Legal experts emphasize that the acquittal does not negate the harm experienced by the victim.
-Byo24
