A Mutoko man who is employed as a gardener in Avondale was yesterday sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted of raping a 17-year-old workmate. Robert Mabu (22) of Manyange Village will however, serve an effective four years after Harare regional magistrate Mr Simon Kachambwa suspended six years conditionally.

According to prosecutor Mr Allan Goche, the teenage girl, who was employed as a housemaid, in September last year was taking a bath at around 8 o'clock in the evening.

Mabu grabbed the girl and pushed her onto the bed and raped her once.

The girl screamed for help but no-one heard her because of noise coming from a generator.

The girl escaped but Mabu followed her while begging her to clean blood coming from her private parts.

He begged the girl not to report the crime.

The girl however, reported the matter to her employer's daughter who, informed her mother.

The case was reported to Avondale Police Station leading to Mabu's arrest.

Mabu pleaded guilty.