FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO- A 33-year-old Gutu man Constern Zhambe has been sentenced yesterday (April 28) to 15 years in prison by Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura after being found guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl in the Matungamidze village area.
The State led by prosecutor Liberty Hove had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt leading to the lengthy sentence.
The court heard that on the morning of December 28 2025 at around 1000 hours the complainant was returning home after delivering her neighbor’s cattle to a herdboy at the grazing lands.
On her way back, she encountered Zhambe, a local villager she recognized because he frequently visited the area to purchase gumtrees.
Zhambe called out to the girl but she refused to approach him.
The accused then pursued her, grabbed her by the hand and dragged her into nearby bushes.
Despite the victim’s screams for help, Zhambe threatened to kill her, forcing her into silence before committing the heinous act.
The matter came to light later that day when the girl’s grandmother noticed that she was walking with difficulty. Upon questioning, the girl broke down in tears and revealed the sexual assault. The case was subsequently filed at ZRP Gutu and a medical report confirming the rape was produced as key evidence during the trial.
Zhambe pleaded not guilty, claiming a case of mistaken identity and suggesting that his cousin had previously said he would commit a crime that he will be accused of.
However, Magistrate Bepura dismissed this defense, noting that the complainant’s identification of the accused was credible and consistent.
Magistrate Bepura remarked that the complainant knew the accused well as a local villager who came to buy gumtrees and was able to confidently identify his name and his church to her grandmother immediately after the incident.
In passing judgment, Magistrate Bepura highlighted several aggravating factors that weighed heavily against the accused.
He noted the significant 20-year age gap between the 33-year-old accused and the 13-year-old victim as well as the blatant abuse of power where the accused used his physical advantage to overpower a minor.
Furthermore, the court emphasized the health risks involved as the act was committed without protection, posing a serious threat to the juvenile.
Zhambe was out of custody after bail was granted awaiting trial.
He was then sentenced to an effective 15-year jail term and immediately taken in.
