Man impregnates girl (13), gets community service

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A 22-YEAR-OLD Victoria Falls man escaped with little more than a slap on the wrist after he was sentenced to do 280 hours of community service, following his conviction for impregnating a 13-year-old girl.

A 22-YEAR-OLD Victoria Falls man escaped with little more than a slap on the wrist after he was sentenced to do 280 hours of community service, following his conviction for impregnating a 13-year-old girl. NOKUTHABA DLAMINI OWN CORRESPONDENT

Mlamuli Ndlovu of BH57, Jambezi, under Chief Shana was convicted on his own plea of guilty when he appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Sharon Rosemani.

It was the State’s case that sometime in June on a date unknown to the court, Ndlovu met with a 13-year-old minor on her way to a borehole and he proposed love and she agreed.

As they were still chatting, Ndlovu further told her that he wanted to sleep with her and he was going to visit her at her home at night and she agreed. That same night, Ndlovu went to her place and he found her in her bedroom hut. They had sexual intercourse once and he left.

During the month of July, Ndlovu met with the complainant when she was coming from school and he told her that he was going to visit her at night after indicating that he wanted to have sexual intercourse and she agreed and they slept together again.

The matter came to light when the girl’s cousin, Sanelisiwe Dube, discovered that she was pregnant and she revealed that she had been impregnated by her neighbour, Ndlovu. The matter was immediately reported to police.

Asked by Rosemani why he had impregnated a 13-year-old knowing that she was still at school, Ndlovu said the relationship was consensual.

“She agreed to have sexual intercourse with me on several occasions,” he said.

“I could not wear a condom because it used to hurt me, but since she has fallen pregnant, I will marry her.”

Rosemani further asked what he had done to show that he intended to marry her.

“I haven’t done anything yet because at home they said they can’t afford to assist me and I am not employed,” he said.

“I cannot even afford to buy preparation for the baby, so her parents said they will stay with her until she has a baby and she will go back to school. Maybe I will marry her after she finishes school.”

Rosemani advised the two families to settle the matter of marriage at family level and said if it fails they can come back to court.

Rosemani sentenced Ndlovu to 12 months imprisonment, with eight months being suspended on condition of good behaviour for four years. The other four months were suspended on condition he does 280 hours of community service at Jabula Primary School.