A LUPANE man will spend the next 22 years in jail for raping a 38-year-old woman with disabilities.
The 27-year-old man appeared at the Hwange Magistrates Court on two charges.
He was facing charges of unlawfully entry and rape.
The man was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for unlawful entry and 20 years for rape.
He will serve 22 years effectively.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe on June 24 this year, the woman, who is blind, mentally-ill and a deaf mute retired to bed with her mother, who is also blind, shortly after supper.
Just before going to bed, the complainant went to the toilet, came back and closed the door, securing it with a stool.
The court heard that after a while, the accused person forcibly entered the bedroom hut where he complainant and her mother were sleeping.
The complainant’s mother assumed it was her daughter returning.
The complainant’s brother arrived a while later to check on his mother and sister and when he entered the room, he lit a torch and saw the man in his sister’s blankets.
The accused person emerged from the blankets, wearing a boxer short before attempting to flee, but was blocked by the complainant’s brother.
A struggle ensued and the accused person was overpowered and arrested.
The court also heard that on further examination, it was discovered that the complainant had been raped.
She was found naked, with semen on her privates.