South African Returnee Jailed 20 Years for Raping Nine-Year-Old

Gweru-A 34-year-old South African returnee has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old girl in 2011, bringing to a close a 15-year legal process that was delayed after he fled to South Africa.

He was convicted on two counts of rape as charged.

​The court handed Razika 10 years' imprisonment on each of the four counts. The court ordered two of the counts to run concurrently, resulting in an effective 20-year custodial sentence.

​Prosecutor Eggrina Matutu proved that the offences occurred between June and August 2011 at a residence in Old Ascot, Gweru, while the victim was nine years old. Razika, then 19 and a relative of the child, repeatedly sexually assaulted her whenever her grandmother travelled to South Africa on cross-border business.

​Matutu cited the significant age gap, the gross betrayal of family trust, and the victim's vulnerability as major aggravating factors warranting a heavy custodial term. She further emphasized that the victim was legally incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse.

In handing down the sentence, Gweru Regional Court Magistrate Christopher Maturure commended senior regional prosecutor Eggrina Matutu for her meticulous handling and presentation of the State’s case, which established Razika’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The magistrate expressed his appreciation for her detailed courtroom work in securing the conviction.

Razika was arrested after returning to Zimbabwe following a 15-year absence during which he had remained outside the country and evaded prosecution. His return came amid the period of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, bringing to an end the lengthy delay in bringing him before the courts.