Online Reporter
A 35-year-old man from the Sipepa area of Tsholotsho district has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to rape his daughter aged 14.
The accused, whose identity is withheld to protect the victim, was found guilty of attempted rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate Shingai Mutiro.
In its ruling, the court emphasised that attempted rape carries the same penalty as rape and noted the presence of aggravating circumstances, specifically the 21-year age gap and the accused’s role as a father, which required him to protect rather than abuse his daughter.
According to the State, the incident occurred on May 16 at approximately 11pm.
The accused and his daughter were watching a movie on a cellphone with three other siblings in a kitchen hut. The victim lay down to cover her sleeping siblings with a blanket.
The accused then took advantage of this moment, forcibly removing the victim’s clothes and covering her mouth to prevent her from screaming.
The victim’s mother entered the hut and found the accused lying next to her daughter under a blanket with his trousers lowered and the victim undressed.
When confronted by his wife, the accused was tongue-tied.
He, however, subsequently surrendered himself to the police. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Mutare man
takes his own life after being injured
during robbery
A Mutare man, unable to cope with internal injuries sustained during a robbery, committed suicide four days later in an incident that has left the usually tranquil Zimunya community in shock.
Washington Mashingaidze (44), of Matika village, under Chief Zimunya, took his own life by throwing himself into a well at his homestead.
He had previously told relatives he could not bear the prospect of living the rest of his life in pain due to injuries sustained during the robbery.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident.
Mashingaidze’s body was discovered in the well a day after he went missing.
“On June 15, 2026, at approximately 5am, Mashingaidze was robbed by five unknown suspects while travelling in a mushikashika (unregistered taxi) on his way to work in Clare, Odzi. Mashingaidze sustained internal injuries, which he struggled to cope with,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka.
“He frequently complained to his family about these injuries, stating that he could not face such a life moving forward. On June 19, 2026, around 9am, Mashingaidze left home without notifying anyone. Knowing he had expressed suicidal thoughts, the family grew worried and began a search. Around 1pm that day, his wife, Nyaradzo Batsiri (42), alerted relatives and villagers, who joined in the search. Despite a thorough community-wide effort, they were unable to locate him. On June 20, 2026, at approximately 10am, Mashingaidze’s body was found in a well at his homestead.”
The body was retrieved by fellow villagers and the matter was reported to the police.
The remains were transported to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing — Manicaland Bureau
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Landlord fined US$140 for assaulting tenant over deposit
A Bulawayo man who assaulted his tenant after she requested a US$30 refund for her rent deposit has been fined US$140.
Nyangirai Nyanyiwa (68), a resident of Emganwini, reacted violently when his tenant, Everjoy Ndlovu (41), asked for her deposit back.
The incident occurred on June 3 as Ndlovu was packing her belongings to move out of the property.
It is the State’s case that Nyanyiwa slapped Ndlovu, grabbed her by the collar, choked and punched her before pushing her to the ground.
During the melee, Ndlovu was allegedly dragged through the ground.
She later sought medical attention before reporting the incident to the police.
Appearing before magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube at the Western Commonage Magistrates’ Court, Nyanyiwa tried to downplay the assault, claiming he merely pushed the tenant in anger.
“I pushed her and she fell onto a stone,” he stated.
Nyanyiwa further claimed he had paid Ndlovu US$300 as compensation after realising she was injured.
However, Ndlovu denied this during her testimony.
“He did not give me US$300. His son paid the hospital directly; we never received that money,” she testified.
The court was not persuaded by the landlord’s defence.
Nyanyiwa was convicted of assault and ordered to pay a US$140 fine before a specified date or face two months in prison. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Barber arrested
for killing
disorderly bar patron
A Harare man died after being struck with a snooker stick at Mutsvubvu Shopping Centre in Southlea Park.
Kudakwashe Tindo allegedly attacked Aleck Butawu after the latter had reportedly thrown a brick that struck a client in a barbershop.
Recounting events leading up to the tragedy, Butawu’s wife, Juliet Masocha (35), said on the fateful day her husband had left home around 11am to have his radio repaired.
By 1pm, he was drinking at a local establishment.
A reportedly intoxicated Butawu subsequently lost his radio, which triggered a violent outburst.
“Due to his level of intoxication, my husband left the bar and began throwing half bricks while shouting about his lost radio,” Masocha said.
“One of the bricks landed inside a barbershop and struck a client.”
In response to the provocation, Tindo, the barber, allegedly entered the bar, took a snooker stick and struck Butawu once in the stomach.
Butawu tried to flee but collapsed and died shortly after.
His body was transported to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for a post-mortem.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing. — Harare Bureau
