MARTIN MAWAYA
A 32-year-old Gweru man has been slapped with a 16-year effective jail term after being convicted of raping his 14-year-old neighbour.
Brilliant Sifelani Moyo of London B Farm, Gweru, was yesterday convicted after a full trial and sentenced at the Gweru Magistrates Court.
The State proved that on August 19 this year, around 4pm, the complainant, a Form Two pupil at a local School, had gone to Gweru River with her mother and Moyo’s wife, Fadzai Sibanda, to wash clothes.
The girl was later tasked to fetch firewood nearby.
Moyo confronted her, gagged her mouth and threatened her with a catapult before dragging her into the bush where he raped her once without her consent.
The ordeal was interrupted when Sibanda arrived at the scene and rescued the complainant, who went on to report the incident to her mother.
The matter was later reported to police on August 21.
A medical examination confirmed penetration.
In sentencing, Regional Magistrate Christopher Maturure said Moyo had taken advantage of a vulnerable minor and deserved a lengthy custodial sentence to deter would-be offenders.
The case has left the small farming settlement shaken.
Residents who spoke to The Midweek Watch said they were horrified by how the crime unfolded in broad daylight, with the victim’s family nearby.
“This is a betrayal of trust, he was part of the community, a neighbour,” said one villager, who asked not to be named. “We fear for our children; they are no longer safe even in familiar places.”
Local organisations advocating for child protection have called the sentencing a victory for justice but stressed the need for continued awareness and vigilance.
“This verdict is significant, but it is also a reminder of the daily dangers faced by young girls,” said Tafadzwa Makore a Gweru-based young women rights activist. “Communities must speak out and act decisively whenever children are at risk.”
Zimbabwe has recorded a rise in sexual violence cases involving minors in recent years, with poverty, child neglect, and social silence often cited as contributing factors.
For the 14-year-old victim in this case, the trauma lingers despite the conviction of her attacker hence the need for counselling.
Monica Mungwena prosecuted.
