A CHINHOYI magistrate has sentenced a 36-year-old man to an effective 20 years imprisonment for repeatedly raping his niece.
Professor Mathe of Plot 5, Bhunya farm, Chinhoyi was convicted on two counts of violating the 13-year-old girl. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted following full trial.
On the first count, the magistrate slapped Mathe to 10 years imprisonment while on the second count, accused person was sentenced to 15 years. Of the total jail term, five years were conditionally suspended. He will, therefore, serve an effective 20 years behind bars.
The first incident occurred in 2022 while victim’s grandmother had gone on a visit to Chinhoyi and left the two at home alone. Mathe took advantage of the situation and raped the complainant, who did not reveal the matter to anyone.
On the second count, court heard that sometime in December 2025, the victim’s grandmother left home for a field day at a neighbouring farm and left the victim and assailant alone. Again, Mathe pounced on the girl before threatening to kill her if she revealed the matter to anyone.
Court heard that the rape only came to light in February 2026 when the girl’s mother, who had visited, became suspicious her daughter’s behaviour and interrogated her, prompting her to spill the beans.
The matter was later reported to police leading to Mathe’s arrest.
