A 53-year-old Zvishavane man was sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison by the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court this week after he was convicted of repeatedly raping his 16-year-old daughter over several weeks, following an attack that began when he allegedly told her he wanted her to be his wife.
The accused, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the minor, appeared before the court facing rape charges.
He was found guilty and handed the custodial sentence after the State proved he sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions.
The court heard that the abuse started in February 2026.
Prosecutors told the court that on one night during that month, the man came home intoxicated and told his daughter that he wanted her to be his wife.
Days later, the State alleged, he again approached the 16-year-old and said he intended to sleep with her.
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When she resisted, he produced a knife from his satchel and threatened her.
The court was told that he then used the victim’s T-shirt to cover her mouth before raping her.
According to the State, that was the first in a series of sexual assaults.
The prosecutor said the accused continued to rape the complainant on several different occasions.
The matter came to light following a tip-off, which prompted police to investigate and arrest the accused.
In handing down sentence, the magistrate imposed an effective 20 years imprisonment.
The court ordered that the victim be referred for counselling and support services.
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