Gang jailed 25 years for rape

US$650 before taking turns to rape her.
The gang threatened to kill her if she raised alarm
Petros Sairoti (30), Shorai Nyamadzawo (25) and Tinashe Simbanegavi (24) yesterday pleaded guilty to armed robbery and rape charges before regional magistrate Mr Rodgers Kachambwa.
Mr Kachambwa sentenced them to 10 years each for robbery and 15 years each for rape. Five years of the rape sentence was suspended on condition of good behaviour.
In aggravation prosecutor Ms Fadzai Kuipa had asked for a deterrent custodial sentence saying any other sentence would trivialise the offence.
“They did not respect her bodily integrity one can only imagine the trauma she experienced and possible health implications especially the risk of contracting HIV,” she said. Ms Kuipa said the medical affidavit showed serious injuries.
Mr Kachambwa concurred with her that only a lengthy custodial sentence would meet justice of the case.
The agreed facts are that on June 3 this year at around 1930hrs, the complainant (age not given) disembarked from a kombi along Gushungo Way in Norton from work and started walking along the road.
Suddenly, the trio appeared from a dark corner and Sairoti initiated dialogue, while the other two changed their direction. Sairoti positioned himself near the complainant and suddenly grabbed her by the throat, produced a knife and ordered her to keep quiet.
The three force-marched her into a nearby bush and laid her on the ground. Sairoti sat on her legs, while holding a knife in his right hand, Nyamadzawo and Simbanegavi stole three cellphones, US$240 and some other valuables.
After robbing her, Sairoti stabbed his knife on the ground beside the complainant’s head, forcibly took off her trousers before taking turns to rape her.
After raping her, they threatened her with death if she raised alarm before disappearing into night.
The complainant managed to rise and shout for help but the trio had already vanished. The complainant lost property worth US$650. She made a report that led to the trio’s arrest.
Upon arrest they led to the recovery of property worth US$410.