A Gwanda teacher who raped a grade 7 pupil impregnating her, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The 51-year-old teacher raped the 14-year-old girl several times, with the matter only coming to light after the girl’s parents discovered she was pregnant.
A Gwanda margistrate found hum guilty due to overwhelming evidence even though he pleaded not guilty. He will serve an effective 17 years after 3 years were suspended.
Said the margistrate:
“As a teacher, parents entrust the care of their children upon you and expect you to protect them and prepare them for a better future. In this case, however, you took advantage of your position and influence and sexually abused this girl and also went on to impregnate her.
“The future of this child has been destroyed because of your actions and she might never recover from this experience. Sexual abuse is a serious offence and it leaves victims violated and even traumatised.
“You deserve a deterrent sentence that will serve as a lesson for like-minded people who target juveniles,” he said.
More: Chronicle