A Harare man has been jailed for an effective 12 years for raping his brother's maid at knife point.

Ignatious Zhakata denied the charge of rape when his trial opened, but was convicted on the strength of overwhelming evidence provided by the State. Regional magistrate Mr Clever Tsikwa sentenced Zhakata (29) to 15 years in prison before suspending three years conditionally for five years. In passing sentence, Mr Tsikwa said cases of sexual abuse were on the increase hence the need to pass deterrent sentences on perpetrators of such crimes.

Prosecutor Ms Tracy Mundanga said that on December 23 last year Zhakata visited his brother in GlenView and saw the complainant doing household chores. He proposed love to her after his brother had gone to bath but the complainant turned him down. On the same day around 5pm, Zhakata's brother went out leaving him with the complainant.

Zhakata armed himself with a knife and locked the door from inside before grabbing the complainant's throat.

The complainant wrestled with him while screaming for help and she sustained a cut on her finger. Zhakata threatened her with death before raping her once. After the act the complainant told Zhakata that she was going to report him to the police and he rushed to the gate and locked it.

The complainant jumped over the pre-cast wall and went to make a report leading to Zhakata's arrest.