HARARE – An incestuous relationship has earned a Harare man and his brother’s daughter a combined 54-month prison stint.
Panashe, 21, and Pikitai Dhave, 29, were convicted after they pleaded guilty to incest when they appeared before Harare magistrate Hosea Mujaya.
They were charged with having sexual intercourse within the prohibited degree of relationship as defined in Section 75(2) (c) of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
The two shocked the court when they admitted they committed the offence to fulfil their sexual pleasures.
Panashe, who had initially reported rape against Pikitai, told the court she withdrew the charges against him because of the way she feels for him.
Prosecuting, Ephraim Zinyandu said the two who reside at the same place of residence in Blufhill fell in love sometime in June this year.
They had consensual intercourse on two different occasions after agreeing that Pikitai would pay for the service.
However, Pikitai failed to pay the money which angered Panashe.
Panashe then reported rape against Pikitai on July 11, 2018, at Harare Central Police station.
The court heard that on August 9, Panashe then submitted an affidavit to the police confessing that she was not raped by Pikitai.
The two were then charged for the offence.
When they appeared in court on Tuesday, the two pleaded guilty.
In mitigation Pikitai begged for leniency saying his “flesh fooled him” and ended up breaking the law.
Panashe said she was aware that what she was doing was wrong but only wanted to fulfil her sexual pleasures.
In passing his sentence, Mujaya said a custodial, sharp and stiff sentence was appropriate.
He sentenced Panashe to 24 months imprisonment of which nine months were suspended on condition of good behaviour. The remaining months were suspended on conditions that she performs 400 hours of community service.
Pikitai was caged 30 months before 12 months were also set aside on condition he does not re-offend within five years.
He will serve 18 months effective behind bars.
