Two separate cases of rape have resulted in lengthy prison sentences for the perpetrators in Zimbabwe, highlighting the ongoing struggle against sexual violence in the country.
In one case, a 33-year-old man from Mazowe was jailed for 20 years for raping a 6-year-old girl and then attempting to bribe her with a single US dollar. In a separate incident, a 23-year-old man received a 20-year sentence for the repeated rape of a 78-year-old woman in Mhondoro.
The Mazowe case unfolded on October 4th, 2024. The 33-year-old man approached the 6-year-old victim, who was playing with friends, and asked her to accompany him. When she refused, he forcibly took her to a secluded area where he raped her.
Following the assault, in a shocking display of callousness, he gave the victim a single US dollar in an apparent attempt to buy her silence and prevent her from reporting the crime.
However, the victim’s ordeal did not end there. A passer-by heard her cries from the bush and intervened, taking her to her mother, who immediately reported the incident to the police.
This swift action led to the arrest of the perpetrator, and he subsequently appeared before the Bindura Magistrates’ Court, where he was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. The court’s decision sends a strong message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated and that perpetrators will face severe consequences.
In the second case, a 23-year-old man, Bright Ajusi, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the rape of a 78-year-old woman in Mhondoro. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed the sentencing.
The attack occurred in the early hours of June 3rd, 2024, when Ajusi broke into the elderly woman’s home. Armed with a knife, he threatened the vulnerable woman before subjecting her to five rounds of rape.
Following the horrific ordeal, the victim bravely sought help from a neighbour, who assisted her in reporting the crime to the police. Authorities acted swiftly, apprehending Ajusi shortly after the report was filed. He was subsequently brought before the court, where he faced multiple rape charges. After his conviction, the court handed down the 20-year sentence, reflecting the severity of the crime and the significant trauma inflicted upon the victim.
