Filabusi man, 52, jailed 20 years for raping granddaughters

A 52-year-old man from Phumelela village under Chief Maduna in Filabusi has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for raping and indecently assaulting his two minor granddaughters.

The Gwanda Regional Magistrates’ Court convicted him of rape and aggravated indecent assault involving the girls, aged 13 and 12, following a trial that detailed months of abuse at his homestead.

The court heard that between November 2025 and June 2026, the man repeatedly targeted his 13-year-old granddaughter, subjecting her to unwanted sexual advances and raping her on four separate occasions at his homestead, including in a cattle kraal, in the fields and in the kitchen.

On 4 June 2026, he also cornered his 12-year-old granddaughter inside a bedroom, offered her snacks and indecently assaulted her.

Throughout the period, the offender threatened to take his own life if the children disclosed the abuse, the court heard.

The abuse came to light after the 12-year-old fled the homestead and sought refuge at her maternal aunt’s home, where she disclosed what had happened. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the man’s arrest. Both victims were referred to hospital for medical examination.

In sentencing, the court imposed 20 years’ imprisonment on Count 1 for rape and 20 years’ imprisonment on Count 2 for aggravated indecent assault. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, leaving an effective custodial term of 20 years.