MARTIN MAWAYA
Gweru – A Gweru City Council employee, Never Mushayi (48), has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison by a Gweru regional magistrate for raping a mentally unstable woman.
Magistrate Christopher Maturure convicted Mushayi of raping and impregnating his landlord’s mentally challenged daughter.
In delivering the sentence, the magistrate highlighted that Mushayi had betrayed the trust of both his landlord and the victim’s family, emphasizing the aggravating circumstances of the crime, particularly the victim’s mental vulnerability.
Court documents revealed that Mushayi had lived with the victim’s family for over five years and was considered part of the family.
However, he violated their trust by repeatedly sexually assaulting the vulnerable young woman.
The State, represented by Talent Tadenyika, presented evidence indicating that Mushayi had raped the complainant on multiple occasions in June 2024.
On one occasion, in June 2024, around 10 a.m., Mushayi allegedly called the complainant to his room under the pretense of needing her to care for his 2-year-old daughter.
While inside the room, he forcibly grabbed her by the waist, laid her down on the bed, and had unprotected sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
The court also heard that on another occasion, Mushayi called the complainant again, forcibly pulled her into his room, laid her on the bed, lifted her dress, removed her pants, and had unprotected sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
During the assault, he reportedly covered the complainant’s mouth with his hand to silence her.
In an attempt to conceal his actions, Mushayi allegedly threatened the complainant, warning her not to disclose the incidents to anyone, claiming he would endanger her life.
The matter came to light in October 2024 when the complainant began experiencing stomach pains, prompting her mother to take her to Gweru Provincial Hospital.
A pregnancy test confirmed that she was pregnant, leading her mother to investigate further, which ultimately led to the complainant revealing that she had been raped by Mushayi.
Mushayi attempted to defend himself during the trial claiming the sexual encounters were consensual and that he was unaware of the victim’s mental challenges.
However, the court rejected his argument, leading to his sentencing to 15 years in prison.
