Danisa Masuku
A 42-YEAR-OLD Hope Fountain man has been caged for 30 years after being convicted of sexually abusing two boys, aged nine and seven.
Lazarus Siyaninga, who resides at Mr Nkomo’s homestead in Village B1, Hope Fountain, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Patience Madondo on Wednesday, facing two counts of aggravated indecent assault.
He denied the charges, insisting that the allegations were fabricated to tarnish his reputation.
“Your worship, I never slept with them. This is a fabricated story to tarnish my reputation. I’m a married man, I can’t do such a thing,” he told the court.
However, the magistrate found him guilty and sentenced him to 15 years in prison on each count, bringing his total sentence to 30 years.
Prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, highlighting the lasting psychological impact of the abuse on the young victims.
“Aggravated indecent assault is a serious crime. The victims are young and they will take time to heal. In their victim impact statements they told the court they are failing to sleep well and the ordeal haunts them. The State prays for a custodial sentence so as to send a message to would-be offenders,” said Mr Mudekunye.
The court heard that on 25 September 2026, Siyaninga sexually assaulted the two boys at the same homestead in Hope Fountain.
The prosecutor told the court that on the afternoon in question, Siyaninga found the children playing and took them to his home, where he committed the offences.
The case came to light on 27 September 2026 when one of the boys disclosed the ordeal to his mother.
