A 24-year-old Banket man, Givemore Mwanza, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the rape of a female relative. Mwanza, who has no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the charge before a local magistrate, bringing a swift conclusion to the case.
The incident occurred on August 15th, 2024, highlighting the ongoing threat of gender-based violence in the community.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence detailing the brutal attack. The court heard that the victim, a female relative of Mwanza, was walking home from church when she encountered him at Windmill Farm. Because they knew each other, they initially walked together. However, their encounter took a sinister turn when they reached an abandoned house.
At the abandoned house, Mwanza’s actions escalated dramatically. He armed himself with a log, striking the woman on the head until she collapsed. In a horrifying display of violence, he then dragged the unconscious woman into the house, where he proceeded to rape her. Following the assault, Mwanza fled the scene, leaving the victim to contend with the trauma of the attack.
A medical affidavit, presented as evidence in court, provided irrefutable proof of the sexual assault. The affidavit detailed the injuries sustained by the victim, corroborating her testimony and leaving no doubt about the severity of the crime. The magistrate, considering the brutality of the attack and the need for a deterrent sentence, handed down a 15-year prison term.
The case against Mwanza was brought under section 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23, which pertains to rape. The prosecution successfully proved that Mwanza’s actions constituted rape, a serious crime carrying significant penalties under Zimbabwean law. The swift conviction demonstrates the effectiveness of the judicial system in addressing such heinous crimes.
