A 63-year-old Hwange man was last week sentenced to 20 years behind bars for raping granddaughter aged 15.
Hwange regional magistrate Mark Dzira jailed Finias John Nyathi suspended five years on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecutor Charline Murove said in June 2022, the juvenile was left in the custody of the convict, who proceeded to her bedroom hut at night and found her sleeping.
The convict then closed the complainant's mouth, and raped her once before walking away.
The complainant told her step father about the ordeal but he ignored it.
The matter came to light when the complainant visited her aunt and narrated her ordeal.
The aunt proceeded to ZRP Dete where a formal report of rape was filed.
Investigations were then made leading to the arrest of the accused person.
A medical examination proved that she was raped.