‘I was infuriated’. . . rape convict speaks out on suicide attempt

THE 38-year-old man, who last week attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the third floor at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court, following his sentencing to 15 years in prison for attempted rape, has opened up on why he had decided to end his life.

Now under the care of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers, Monwabisi Mhilwane is recovering well at Mpilo Central Hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

He was shy of the camera when interviewed yesterday, but said he was infuriated by the lengthy sentence hence he had chosen to take his life.

“I was infuriated and disgusted by the sentence. I thought it was better for me to just take my own life,” he told reporters before covering his face with a blanket and refusing to entertain further questions.

He instead pretended not to know where he was or the crime he had committed.
Mhilwane suffered a broken leg and fractures to his upper body and some bruises on the face. Soon after being attended to by medical staff at the courts, Mhilwane was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital for further treatment.

He now faces a new charge of escaping from lawful custody and another one of negligently causing serious bodily harm.

On the day he attempted to commit suicide, Mhilwane was clad in full prison garb and was in leg irons.
He was convicted of attempting to rape his cousin on multiple occasions at Lortondale Village in Inyathi, Matabeleland North Province, before trying to flee.

According to court records, he attempted to escape from custody on June 25 this year at around 4PM, at Tredgold Magistrates’ Building and on the third floor, located at Corner Leonard Takawira Avenue and Hebert Chitepo.
Mhilwane was among inmates, who were coming out of the court being led by a prison officer.

He was in front of four inmates while walking in a single file and he then jumped off a balcony located on the third floor and fell on top of a prison cell roof situated on the first floor.

Soon after the incident, an ambulance was summoned and Mhilwane was ferried to Mpilo Central Hospital for further treatment, under ZPCS guard.

Mhilwane is expected to appear in court upon full recovery.
Court officials said they were shocked to witness the incident as they expected the guards to manage the prisoners.

According to reports, moments after the judgment was delivered, Mhilwane broke free from prison guards and jumped from the court building’s third floor in an apparent attempt to commit suicide, but he survived with serious injuries.

Prosecutors, court staff and members of the public watched in horror as Mhilwane lay bloodied on the first floor, where he had landed. Paramedics were summoned to the scene and responded swiftly.

According to charges presented by State prosecutor Mr Jethro Mada, Mhilwane attempted to rape his 19-year-old cousin in February this year, at their homestead.

He had molested the victim on several occasions and openly threatened, in front of other relatives, that he would rape her. The matter was reported to the police after he was caught red-handed attempting to rape the victim.
He was convicted and sentenced by Bulawayo regional Magistrate, Ms Sibonginkosi Mnkandla due to overwhelming evidence.

Ms Mnkandla noted that the victim was vulnerable and that Mhilwane had abused his responsibility as a relative. According to the State, on the day in question, Mhilwane proposed love to the victim while also asking to have sexual intercourse. On March 30, at around 8PM, while at their homestead, the victim retired to bed.

Mhilwane followed her, pushed the door and entered the room. He attempted to rape her and she screamed for help. The complainant’s cousin sister, who was outside, came and rescued the complainant.

On another occasion, on April 30 at around 5AM, the victim went to the bush to relieve herself when Mhilwane followed and demanded sex.