Peter Matika, Zimpapers Writer
A 26-year-old Filabusi man has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 24-year-old woman at a bar compound in Filabusi.
The accused, from Bekezele Township, was sentenced by the Gwanda Regional Magistrates’ Court following the rape of the woman, who was working as a bar attendant.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident occurred on May 25, 2026, at around 2am at the Shayne and Love Lifestyle Bar Compound.
The court heard that the victim was asleep alone in her room after leaving the door unlocked while her roommate was outside.
The accused allegedly entered the room without her consent and raped her.
The victim later woke up and recognised her attacker, who was wearing a cap, black T-shirt and blue jeans.
Realising that he had been identified, the accused fled from the scene.
The victim immediately informed her roommate when she returned, leading to the matter being reported to police.
She subsequently underwent a medical examination at Filabusi Hospital.
The conviction and sentence were welcomed by the NPAZ, which reiterated its zero-tolerance stance towards sexual violence.
“The NPAZ strongly condemns all forms of sexual violence and maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards perpetrators of such offences,” the authority said in its latest bulletin.
It warned that perpetrators of sexual offences would face prosecution in accordance with the law, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting communities, supporting victims and ensuring that offenders are held accountable.
