A chilling tale of deceit and violence has emerged from the outskirts of Harare, where a man, identified as Willard Kudakwashe Jonifati, stands accused of preying on vulnerable job seekers, robbing them and subjecting them to horrific sexual assaults. Jonifati, a resident of Domboshava, is currently detained at Harare Remand Prison, facing serious charges of having sex with 2 different women without rubber-stamping the act.
The details of the case, as presented in court proceedings, paint a disturbing picture of a predator who used the desperation of job seekers to lure them into his trap. The first complainant, a young woman seeking employment, was approached by Jonifati at Mverechena Business Centre in Domboshava. He convinced her to accompany him to a supposed workplace, promising her a job opportunity.
However, during their journey, Jonifati’s true intentions became horrifyingly clear. He brandished a knife, threatening the woman before demanding her mobile phone. He then proceeded to rape her, leaving her traumatised and utterly broken.
In a separate incident, Jonifati targeted a second victim, again using the promise of employment as bait. He lured her to Molife turn off in Domboshava, claiming to be taking her to meet her potential employer. He then forced her to hand over all her money, a sum of US$20, before leading her to a secluded spot.
There, he subjected her to a harrowing ordeal, raping her three times continuously while threatening her with further harm.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje presented these harrowing allegations against Jonifati in court, outlining the brutality of his actions and the devastating impact on his victims.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern, highlighting the vulnerability of job seekers in a country struggling with high unemployment rates. The desperation for employment can make individuals susceptible to exploitation, leaving them open to the machinations of predators like Jonifati.
