A Harare primary school teacher has been slapped with a 20-year jail term for raping a 11-year-old pupil.

Wilson Manganda (26) of Sister Grace Farm, Amalinda in Glen Norah, was last week convicted of raping the pupil he was teaching at Cresta Primary School on two occasions.

Regional magistrate Mr Daniel Shonhiwa suspended six years of the sentence on condition that Manganda does not commit a similar offence in the next five years, leaving him with an effective 14-year jail term. The court heard that Manganda told the minor to accompany her to a nearby bush during the night where he raped her and threatened to beat her if she told anyone about the incident. On the second occasion, he is said to have taken the girl from her house to the same bush, where he again raped her and threatened to kill her if she divulged the incident to anyone.

Prosecutor Ms Valerie Ngoma said both incidents occurred in April. She said the offence came to light when the pupil reported home late on the second encounter. 

By Staff reporter and agencies