Crimes and Courts Correspondent
A 22-year-old Beitbridge man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to rape his stepmother.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the incident occurred on September 15, 2024, when the man knocked on his stepmother’s bedroom door, asking for washing powder.
After initially being told to come back later for money to buy the powder, the man returned twice, with the third visit escalating into a violent attempt to rape his stepmother. He pulled down his trousers, charged at her, and tried to trip her, but a neighbor’s intervention stopped the attack.
“The accused person pulled down his trousers, charged towards the complainant and tripped her. He removed the complainant’s skirt and tried to rape her,” said the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe in a statement.
The stepmother jumped out of bed and stood up when the man closed the door behind himself and began moving around the room. Thankfully, a neighbor outside shouted the accused’s name, prompting him to stop the attack. More neighbors gathered, leading to a police report and the man’s subsequent arrest.
The Beitbridge Magistrates Court found the evidence compelling and imposed a 15-year sentence for the crime. This shocking case highlights the importance of safety and support within families and communities.
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