A TSHOLOTSHO man who attempted to rape a mentally challenged neighbour was on Thursday slapped with a five-year jail term by Bulawayo Regional Court magistrate Mark Dzira. SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
Jonathan Moyo (42) had denied the charge, but was convicted and sentenced to eight years in jail, three of which were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
“If you had not been disturbed by her brother, you would have raped her. The complainant is a mentally ill person and you are her neighbour; you were aware of her status. You are married and one would wonder what you really saw on the complainant. Due to these reasons it is clear that you took advantage that she was alone,” said Dzira before handing down sentence.
The magistrate said cases of attempted rape were on the increase and there was need to impose deterrent sentences on culprits.
Prosecutor Masimba Saruaka told the court that on October 29 2013 at around 4:30pm, the complainant, the 25-year-old mentally ill woman, was alone at home when Moyo approached her and asked to be intimate with her. She refused.
Moyo then grabbed her and pushed her to the ground with the intention of raping her, but was disturbed by the victim’s brother who arrived on the scene.
Moyo allegedly tried to bribe the complainant by fetching firewood for her, but the woman and her brother made a police report, leading to Moyo’s arrest.
