Man jailed for raping blind, deaf and mentally challenged woman
Caught in the act by woman's brother who tussled him leading to his arrest
By Staff Reporter
A 27-year-old man Lupane man has been jailed for 22 years after he was found guilty of unlawfully entering a property and subsequently raping a 38-year-old mentally challenged, blind, deaf, and dumb woman.
The man, who was not named in a National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) statement, was handed the tough sentence by a Hwange magistrate, who convicted him for unlawfully entering a property and also raping the occupant.
The incident happened on 24 June 2024 at around 8pm.
NPA said “the complainant who is blind, mentally challenged, and cannot hear or speak, retired to bed with her mother who is also blind, shortly after supper”.
“Just before going to bed, the complainant went to the toilet, came back, and closed the door, securing it with a stool.
“A short while later, the accused person forcibly entered the bedroom hut where the complainant and her mother were sleeping. The complainant’s mother assumed it was her daughter returning.
“The complainant’s brother arrived a while later to check on his family. When he entered the room, he showed a torch and noticed the accused person in the complainant’s blankets.
“The accused person emerged from the blankets, wearing only a boxer short. He attempted to flee but was blocked by the complainant’s brother.
“A desperate struggle ensued and the accused person was finally overpowered and arrested.
“Upon further examination, it was discovered that the complainant had been raped. She was found naked, with semen on her private parts.”
For his misdeeds, he was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for unlawful entry and 20 years imprisonment for rape. He will serve 22 years effectively.
