Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
BULAWAYO residents were left reeling this week after a terrifying case of attempted rape and assault took a bizarre turn in court. A 33-year-old man accused of a chilling home invasion and brutal hammer attack, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The harrowing incident occurred on 25 January 2025, around 8:30 PM at Woolendale, Umguza. The Court heard how the accused, name withheld for ethical reasons, allegedly forced his way into his neighbour’s a house, where he found a terrified 17 year old girl alone in the sitting room. Prosecutor Christina Manyika painted a grim picture for the magistrate, detailing how the accused lifted the young victim and placed her onto a sofa, then shockingly began to undress himself.
With the girl’s unsuspecting parents blissfully unaware in a nearby spare bedroom, the accused allegedly proceeded to forcibly remove the complainant’s clothes and attempted to sexually assault her. It was a parent’s worst nightmare come true.
Just as the unspeakable act was about to occur, a mother’s instinct proved vital. The complainant’s mother, alerted by unknown sounds, stormed out of the bedroom. What she witnessed must have frozen her blood. She heroically intervened, tearing her daughter from the sofa and confronting the alleged assailant.
Enraged by the interruption, the accused allegedly turned his fury on the brave mother. He reportedly lashed out, striking her once on the right cheek with a hammer, causing painful injuries that sent shockwaves through the courtroom.
Arrested and charged with two counts of attempted rape and assault, the accused person was referred for a psychiatric evaluation. A psychiatrist confirmed that he was, in fact, mentally disturbed.
Based on this damning psychiatric report, along with a crucial letter from the general prosecutor, Magistrate Dambudzo Malunga was left with no choice. The court was satisfied that the accused’s mental state was indeed severely compromised at the time of the horrific incident.
In a verdict that has sparked debate, the accused person was declared not guilty by reason of insanity. His freedom, however, will be short lived. The court ordered his immediate commitment to Ingutsheni Hospital for ongoing mental management. This chilling case serves as a stark reminder of the fragile line between criminality and mental illness, and the complex decisions faced by the justice system
Londile Moyo