Trymore Tagwirei

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – A Masvingo man sentenced to 18 years in jail for sodomising a 16-year-old boy for four years broke down in court and pleaded for leniency claiming that he was possessed when he committed the crime.

Bray Madzirashe (38) of Chidzikwe village in Sommerton Extension in Masvingo Rural was slapped with 20 years in jail by Provincial Magistrate Bishard Chineka when he appeared for sentencing recently.

The magistrate suspended two years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. This means that Madzirashe who sodomised the boy while herding cattle from 2019 to 2022 will serve an effective 18 years.

Madzirashe pleaded guilty to all the charges.

In 2019, the complainant was in Grade 7 when he was taken to the pastures by Madzirashe. He pinned the boy to the ground, removed his trousers and penetrated him from the back. He warned the boy that he would be struck by lightning if he told anyone and the crime continued for the next few years.

The matter came to light on February 6, 2022 after accused person took the boy to his place sodomised him. The complainant went home and refused to eat dinner. His father interrogated him and he later narrated the sodomy ordeal.

The matter was reported on February 4, 2022 to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo rural and the accused person was arrested.