Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A 37-YEAR-OLD man from Mandaza Village under Chief Nyamweda, Mhondoro, has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of raping and assaulting his mother-in-law (56).
Walter Maponga was convicted of rape and assault by Harare regional magistrate Ms Jessie Kufa.
In her ruling, Ms Kufa said the State had managed to prove a prima facie case against Maponga.
The State, led by Mr Blessed Songozo, proved that on September 17, 2025, at Makoni Village under Chief Nyamweda in Mhondoro, the complainant was in her bedroom with her mother (94) when Maponga broke into the room.
Upon entering the room, Maponga started assaulting the complainant, demanding to have sex with her while accusing her of taking away his wife from him.
The court heard that Maponga then sat on top of the complainant, who had fallen to the ground on her back.
He started caressing the complainant’s privates before raping her. It was the State’s case that the complainant was later rescued by Godfrey Makoni and Cleopas Nziramasanga, who then apprehended Maponga.
