A man from Chief Makoni’s area who had a sexual relationship with his sister’s daughter in 2004 who was aged 15 at that time, recently confessed to the abominable act after facing several misfortunes in his life.
Weston Mugocha of Muchekabuwe Village approached Chief Makoni’s court to confess the statutory rape/incest which he committed 18 years ago when he was 32 years old.
Mugocha told the court that a traditional healer told him that he needed to be cleansed first before his problems could be addressed. He said:
Some years ago I committed an abomination. I don’t know what got into me. I slept with my sister’s daughter. I am appearing before this court to own up to my evil deeds.
I was experiencing some misfortune in my life and last year I approached a traditional healer in Harare.
I was told that the endless misfortunes were a result of the incest with my niece.
The traditional healer advised me to come and confess before this court and seek guidance on how to settle this matter.
Both families have agreed that this matter must be brought to finality and I am going to foot all the expenses.
I have already secured a white beast for the cleansing ceremony.
Testifying before the court, the man’s niece said she consented to the sexual act. She said:
This shameful act happened in 2004 when I was 15 years. I was not raped by my uncle, but he just took advantage of my youthfulness to lure me into a sexual relationship.
We were in love and he is the one who broke my virginity.
Chief Makoni ordered Mugocha to provide a pure white beast that will be slaughtered for a cleansing ceremony (cheka ukama) and one beast as fine for the court.
The chief further ruled that for breaking his niece’s virginity, Mugocha should pay her one beast (mombe yechimanda).
Chief Makoni said incest is a very serious offence that can alienate relatives.
He then explained how the meat from the beast for “cheka ukama” should be shared. He said:
After the beast is slaughtered, Mugocha’s mother and the victim’s mother will get the back portion (musana).
The fathers (madzisekuru) will get the shoulder (bandauko). The headmen who will supervise the ceremony will be given the brisket (chityu).
All the meat must be consumed on the same day. The people gathered there must be told the reason for the feast.
Mugocha and your niece should be present, but they are not allowed to eat the meat. They have to watch as others feast.
There will be no beer consumption as this is not a celebration. A traditional healer should also be present.