Rusape – A chilling tale of violence and abuse has unfolded in the small village of Chimwanzou, leaving a community reeling in shock and disbelief.
Misheck Musambidzi, a 39-year-old man from Village 31, stands accused of raping his girlfriend’s 80-year-old mother after a dispute over her daughter’s whereabouts.
The incident occurred in the early hours of June 1st, 2024, when Musambidzi arrived at the elderly woman’s homestead, demanding to know where his girlfriend was. The octogenarian, unable to provide the information he sought, was met with a torrent of rage.
According to the prosecution, represented by Mr Tawanda Munjanja, Musambidzi’s frustration boiled over into violence. “He assaulted the complainant with open hands several times on her face before sexually abusing her,” Mr Munjanja told the court.
The horrifying scene was witnessed by Musambidzi’s girlfriend and another individual, Simbarashe Mtangandebvu, who heard the elderly woman’s screams for help. They rushed to the homestead, only to find Musambidzi emerging from the house, a stick in his hand.
Inside, they found the elderly woman struggling to stand, her face bearing the marks of the assault. She recounted the harrowing ordeal, revealing that Musambidzi had raped her.
The accused, who appeared in court before Rusape regional magistrate, Mr Francis Mapfumo, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was not represented by legal counsel.
The court, however, found sufficient evidence to remand him in custody until August 16, 2024, for trial.
