Phillip Kandekande, a 21-year-old farm labourer, has been handed an effective 16-year prison sentence by the Rusape Regional Magistrates’ Court following a harrowing case of attempted rape involving two young girls.
The conviction was confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) on Thursday, 16 April.
The court heard how Kandekande exploited his position as a general hand to lure two eight-year-old victims to his homestead under the guise of watching television.
On the first occasion, Kandekande locked the bedroom door and threatened the two children with a knife. He then attempted to sexually assault one of the girls while her companion was forced to witness the ordeal.
Undeterred, the offender later used a similar tactic to lure the children back to his room, where he attempted to assault the second child.
In a bid to ensure their silence, he tried to bribe the traumatised youngsters with sweets and bread.
The crimes only came to light when one of the victims visited an aunt in Harare. The relative noticed a marked change in the child’s behaviour and, upon questioning her, uncovered the abuse.
Despite Kandekande entering a plea of “Not Guilty” during the trial, the magistrate ruled that the evidence against him was overwhelming.
He was sentenced to 16 years for the first count (with 14 years effective) and 15 years for the second. As the sentences are to run concurrently, he will serve a total of 16 years behind bars.
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