Combined 60 years imprisonment for 3 inmates after sodomising fellow inmate. DJ blames Tilda Moyo for enjoying SIM 2 lula lula in jail

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HarareThree inmates at Harare Central Remand Prison, Kingswell Ngwerume (32), Kudakwashe Mazorodze (35), and Lazarus Chinobhururuka, have each been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, totalling 60 years, for the aggravated indecent assault of a fellow inmate. The horrific incident unfolded on August 11th of last year, highlighting the grim realities of sexual violence within Zimbabwe’s prison system.

The court, presided over by Harare regional magistrate Loice Mukunyadze, heard harrowing details of the attack. The three convicts and the victim were all inmates at Harare Central Remand Prison. On the evening of the assault, the inmates were locked up for the night. According to the prosecution, led by Kudakwashe Muza (and corroborated by Mercy Masamvi’s account), Mazorodze directed the 20-year-old victim to Cell C2, where Ngwerume and Chinobhururuka were among nine other inmates.

Around midnight, the victim was awakened by Ngwerume’s sexual advances. He initially resisted, but Ngwerume, with the assistance of Chinobhururuka and Mazorodze, subjected him to a brutal assault. The state presented evidence indicating that Chinobhururuka forced the victim to consume an unidentified liquid, leaving him dizzy and vulnerable. Subsequently, the three men removed the victim’s underwear and repeatedly sodomised him, taking turns to perpetrate the abuse. After the attack, the trio returned to their sleeping places.

The following morning, the victim reported the incident to a prison officer. The cell was opened, and the victim was immediately transported to a hospital for medical examination and treatment. The prosecution successfully presented their case, proving the guilt of the three accused despite their denials during the trial. The magistrate, after considering all the evidence, delivered the 20-year sentences for each of the perpetrators.

This case underscores a disturbing trend of sexual violence within Zimbabwean prisons. While the specifics of this case are horrific, it is not an isolated incident. The prevalence of sodomy in Zimbabwean prisons, despite its illegality, remains a significant concern.

Adding another layer to the complexities of sexual violence within the prison system, a separate case involving Brian Shereni, a DJ serving time at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, has recently come to light. Shereni was found guilty of aggravated indecent assault and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on February 15th of last year. During his mitigation, Shereni made a shocking claim, blaming the popular StarFM radio show, “Tilda Moyo,” for inciting his actions.

Shereni argued that while listening to the show, which focuses on sex and domestic issues, he became aroused and subsequently forced himself on a fellow inmate. He admitted this was not his first such offence, stating that two previous instances were consensual, resulting only in internal prison disciplinary measures. However, this incident, he acknowledged, was different because it involved non-consensual sex.

The prosecutor, Zvikomborero Mupasa, countered Shereni’s mitigation, highlighting his unrepentant nature and urging the court to impose the maximum sentence. Mupasa presented evidence demonstrating Shereni’s likelihood of reoffending, arguing that the aggravating factors far outweighed any mitigating circumstances. The court ultimately considered Shereni’s lack of remorse and the seriousness of the crime when delivering the sentence.

The cases of Ngwerume, Mazorodze, Chinobhururuka, and Shereni highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reform within Zimbabwe’s prison system to address the pervasive issue of sexual violence. The lack of accountability and the apparent ease with which these crimes are committed within the confines of these institutions demand immediate attention from authorities. .

The arrest of Lazarus Chinobhururuka in July 2021, prior to his involvement in the Harare Central Remand Prison assault, adds another layer to his criminal history. At that time, he was apprehended at his rural home in Mudzi after being on the police wanted list for a series of armed robberies across the country.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Homicide Harare, working with Murehwa police, tracked him down. Upon seeing the police, Chinobhururuka attempted to flee but was apprehended with the assistance of a police dog, sustaining minor injuries in the process.

Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi, speaking to reporters in 2021, stated that a police identification card was recovered from Chinobhururuka and that he was suspected of committing numerous armed robberies between October 2020 and June 2021.


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