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Charity Mathema
A 35-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who robbed and raped a pregnant woman has been slapped with a 20-year jail term.
Thabani Shongwe appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Dambudzo Malunga facing two charges; rape and robbery.
Shongwe who pleaded not guilty was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the first count of rape and an additional six months for the second count of robbery.
Circumstances are that on 31 August 2023 and at around 5.30pm, Shongwe pounced on the victim whose name has been withheld for legal reasons behind Cowdray Park Secondary School.
The victim who was on her way to work, was subjected to a horrific ordeal when Shongwe raped her once without protection, disregarding the fact that she was pregnant.
It is reported that during the sexual assault, Shongwe reportedly threatened to harm her further, saying he would cut off her private parts if she screamed.
He then detained her for three agonising hours, subjecting her to pain and torture.
After being released the victim wasted no time and immediately reported the incident to the police.
It is reported that the detailed description she gave of Shongwe including his missing two front teeth and a scar on his upper lip and that he had told her he was out of prison on amnesty, helped police to track him down.
The description also matched the clothing he was wearing at the time — a navy trousers with yellow stripes.
The police apprehended Shongwe and recovered the yellow trousers, which was presented as evidence in court.
It was later established that Shongwe was not a first-time offender and that he had been arrested before but with a different surname which was Sibanda.
But due to lack of evidence and him not having a national identity card it was hard to prove that he was indeed Sibanda.
Despite pleading not guilty, Shongwe was unable to refute the overwhelming evidence levelled against him.
During trial, it was revealed that the victim’s positive identification of Shongwe was strengthened by the three hours she spent in his presence and him telling her that he was out on amnesty which he confirmed in court.
The court found this to be sufficient evidence to convict him.
During trial, the prosecutor, Nomthandazo Mafu emphasised that the defendant’s actions constituted a serious offense, and his initial plea of not guilty demonstrated a lack of remorse.
“Shongwe subjected the victim to physical torture by beating her until she was dizzy not minding that she was pregnant, and to emotional abuse by threatening to cut off her private parts.
“This offense has caused the complainant immense trauma and her marriage is on the verge of collapse as a result of her husband’s changed behaviour towards her since the incident and therefore I recommend a heavy sentence,” argued Mafu.
Online Reporter