Son of Fmr. Zimbabwean Vice President Handed 20-Year Jail Sentence For Raping Vulnerable Minor | Social

Siqokoqela Mphoko, son of former Zimbabwean Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, has been handed a 20-year jail sentence for 3 counts of rape. 

Siqokoqela was additionally given a concurrent two-month sentence for violating a courtroom order by Bulawayo Regional Justice of the Peace Elijah Singano, who discovered him responsible of violating the sufferer’s constitutional rights. 

The age distinction between Mphoko and the sufferer was 3 times, demonstrating the previous’s low morality. 

He reportedly threatened the sufferer with demise if she revealed the matter to anybody. It was additionally gathered that the sufferer regarded as much as Mphoko as a father determine, however he betrayed her belief, violating the rights of each the sufferer and her household. 

Mphoko’s lawyer argued for a lowered sentence, citing his medical situation and household obligations. His lawyer mentioned he had an immovable property, together with a home and automobiles, and a younger household. The prosecutor on their very own half mentioned the sufferer would undergo psychological penalties for all times.

Singano nevertheless mentioned the courtroom should act in one of the best pursuits of the kid, and most of the sufferer’s constitutional rights have been violated, together with privateness, good well being, schooling, and dignity. The Justice of the Peace agreed with the protection’s request to deal with all three counts as one for sentencing. 

The Justice of the Peace mentioned; 

“Lawfully every rely of rape is the same as 10 years in jail and sentencing the accused 30 years for every rely shall be on the cruel aspect contemplating that it’s the similar sufferer and in a brief house of time. The courtroom is inclined to impose 20 years of imprisonment for all three counts and sadly, the courtroom can’t additional droop this sentence as it will likely be taken for belittling this severe crime. The accused is due to this fact sentenced to an efficient 20 years in jail for rely one to 3 and two months for rely 4 which shall be served concurrently with the earlier counts.”