AN HIV positive Rusape man who raped and impregnated a mentally challenged girl (15) was jailed for 18 years after being convicted for the heinous offence.
Godwin Samboko (31) of Headlands Kop will, however, spend 15 years in jail after Rusape regional magistrate, Mr Livingstone Chipadza suspended three years on condition of good behaviour.
Samboko was not represented and was denied the charges.
Rusape Area prosecutor, Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira, told the court that the offence only came to light five months after its commission when the girl’s mother discovered that her daughter was pregnant.
“The accused and the complainant stay in the same village in Headlands Kop.
“The accused is HIV positive and the complainant is mentally retarded.
“On a date unknown, but during the month of August 2014 in the afternoon, Samboko saw the complainant alone in the bush fetching firewood.
“He approached her and raped her.
“On January 14, 2015 the girl revealed the case to her mother after it was discovered that she was five months pregnant.
“The following day the matter was reported to the police and she was referred to Rusape General Hospital for medical examination,” he said.