HARARE - A Harare magistrate has jailed for 18 years a 42-year-old gardener who raped his employer’s teenage girl at knife-point.

Harare regional magistrate Simon Rogers Kachambwa jailed Passmore Nyatowa after convicting him on charges of raping his boss’ 16-year-old daughter.

Magistrate Kachambwa suspended six years on condition of good behaviour for the next five years.

The court heard that the incident took place in December 2009 when Nyatowa entered into the girl’s bedroom and found her sleeping.

He got into the girl’s blankets and raped her, the court was told.

The girl attempted to scream for help but Nyatowa gagged her mouth.

However, the court heard after the incident, the girl did not tell anyone.

During the same month, Nyatowa took advantage of the girl as she was alone and dragged her into the pantry and raped her for the second time.

Still she did not disclose the rape.

Nyatowa forcibly had sexual intercourse with the girl for the third time in her bedroom.

He produced a knife to silence her and proceeded to rape her, the court was told.

The offence came into light in 2010 when the girl revealed the rape to her grandmother.

The matter was reported to police, leading to Nyatowa’s arrest.