Worrying spike in rape convictions

Nyashadzashe Ndoro-—Chief Reporter

A series of recent court cases have brought to light the ongoing and concerning issue of sexual violence across Zimbabwe, with convictions spanning different age groups of both perpetrators and victims.

These cases, reported from various regions including Nyanga, Marondera, and Nkayi, underscore the vulnerability of individuals, including minors and those with disabilities, to sexual assault.

In Nyanga, two separate cases resulted in lengthy prison sentences. An 82-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the rape of a 10-year-old girl in September 2024. The court heard how the elderly neighbor lured the child into a bushy area, threatened her with a knife, and sexually assaulted her before warning her against disclosure. The crime was reported to the police in December 2024, leading to his arrest and conviction.

In another case in Nyanga, a 23-year-old man received an 18-year prison sentence (with three years suspended) for the rape of a 26-year-old deaf woman in October 2024. The perpetrator, who lived in the same home as the victim, exploited her disability. The assault was discovered the following morning when a neighbor found the victim crying, and she communicated the ordeal through sign language.

In Marondera, a 20-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping his 29-year-old workmate in March 2025. The court heard how the offender forcibly entered the woman's home, threatened her with a knife, and subjected her to two counts of rape before warning her against reporting the incident.

The Bulawayo Regional Court delivered a 20-year prison sentence to a 22-year-old man from Nkayi who was convicted of two counts of rape against a 12-year-old girl residing at the same homestead in November 2024. The accused lured the child to a separate building, assaulted her, and threatened her with a knife. He repeated the assault later the same day and continued to follow the child until she managed to escape and report the abuse to the police. The sentences for each count will run concurrently.

These recent convictions, occurring within a relatively short timeframe and across different parts of the country, paint a concerning picture of the prevalence of rape in Zimbabwe. The cases highlight the diverse circumstances under which these crimes occur, the vulnerability of different segments of the population, and the often-violent nature of the assaults.