Bmetro ‘THIS IS ABUSE, NOT LOVE!’ Herdsman jailed for sleeping with schoolgirl

The conviction has been welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority, which described the matter as a severe violation of trust and a grave crime against a vulnerable child.

B-Metro Reporter

A Nyanga cattle herder’s secret fling with a teenage schoolgirl has ended in disgrace and jail time — a stark reminder that child “relationships” are not love stories but criminal offences.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Panashe Chingoza (28) was convicted by the Nyanga Magistrates’ Court for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old Form 2 pupil.

“The victim, a 14-year-old girl, and the offender were boyfriend and girlfriend,” the NPAZ said in a statement. “Their relationship began in August 2025 when the offender met the victim on her way from school.”

Zimbabwean law stipulates that a person under the age of 18 is a minor and therefore, cannot consent to a love relationship.

Investigations revealed that the girl sometimes skipped school to meet Chingoza at his workplace. The truth came out when the victim’s father was alerted by other schoolchildren that his daughter was at the herdsman’s homestead.

“The father immediately went to the homestead where he found the victim and escorted her to the police station to file a report,” the NPAZ added.

Chingoza pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, with 12 months suspended for five years. He will serve 24 months effectively.

The NPAZ has urged communities to stay alert to such predatory behaviour.
“Parents and guardians are being reminded to monitor children closely and report any suspicious relationships early to protect them from exploitation,” read the statement.