Sidumisile Mabena
Fairness Moyana, [email protected]
A 35-YEAR-OLD Victoria Falls barber who lured a 13-year-old mentally ill girl to his house under the guise of offering her gifts before tying her hands with a rope and raping her, has been sentenced to an effective 40 years in prison.
Nidson Kamhunga was convicted of rape by Hwange regional magistrate, Mr Shepherd Mnjanja.
Prosecuting, Ms Jamesina Erica Makanza told the court that the complainant first met Kamhunga when she visited his barber shop for a haircut.”
“On October 1, 2025, the accused met the girl again at Mkhosana Shopping Centre and accompanied her home. Along the way, he promised to give her a smartwatch and money if she agreed to visit him daily at his workplace,” said Ms Makanza.
The complainant later began visiting Kamhunga whenever she was sent to the shops by her mother.
“On October 7, while coming from school, the complainant met the accused and asked for the promised items. He then lured her to his house, claiming he would give her the gifts,” said Ms Makanza.
Once inside the house, Kamhunga locked the door, tied the complainant’s hands with a rope and gagged her with a cloth.
“He forced her to lie on the floor, removed her undergarments and raped her,” said Ms Makanza.
After the offence, Kamhunga threatened to kill the complainant’s relatives if she disclosed the incident. Out of fear, the complainant kept the matter to herself.
The abuse came to light a month later, after the complainant’s sister saw a video trending on social media linking the accused to child abuse.
“When questioned, the complainant confirmed her association with the accused but did not reveal the incident. The complainant then later narrated her ordeal to a tenant before a report was made to the police, leading to Kamhunga’s arrest.
Online Reporter