FAITH NDOU
CHIVI-Devine Nhapata (32) of Matizenyika Village under Headman Masunda in Chivi decided to rape his 50 year cousin after he found his girlfriend away to Masowe church.
For his heinous crime Nhapata was slapped with 15years behind bars by Masvingo Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura on Wednesday.
Devine Nhapata, of village Matizenyika under Headman Masunda in Chivi was found guilty of rape in contravention of Section 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 09:23].
Circumstances are that on February 14 2026 at around 1800 hours, the complainant had gone to her daughter’s homestead Matumbwari Village to stay overnight with her granddaughter.
She later slept in a bedroom at the homestead after her daughter left to attend an all-night prayer meeting at a Masowe church.
At around 2100 hours on the same day, Nhapata reportedly arrived at the homestead intending to see his girlfriend, but found her not at home.
He then entered the bedroom where the complainant was sleeping.
The court heard that the accused demanded sex from the complainant but she refused.
The court further heard that Nhapata forcibly grabbed the complainant, removed her clothes and raped her once without her consent and with no protection before leaving the scene.
The incident was not immediately reported.
However, on February 18 2026, the complainant disclosed the matter to her daughter, who assisted her in reporting the case to the ZRP Chivi.
The complainant was later taken to Chivi District Hospital for a medical examination.
A medical report was produced in court as part of the State evidence.
Nhapata pleaded not guilty to the charge but the court found him guilty after considering the evidence presented.
Nixon Chamisa prosecuted.
