Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 35‑YEAR‑OLD Bulawayo man who assaulted and raped a 70‑year‑old woman in Montgomery has been jailed for 20 years. Blessing Mabhiele, of Plot 15 Montgomery, employed as a gardener, was convicted of rape under Section 65(1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23, and assault, after appearing before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere. He received an effective 20‑year custodial sentence.
Prosecuting, Ms Nomthandazo Mafu told the court that on January 1, 2026 at around 7PM, the accused used unknown means to gain access to the complainant’s yard. He forced open the main door and entered the complainant’s bedroom, pushing his way in as she attempted to lock herself inside after hearing the break-in.
The court heard that once inside, the accused removed his clothes and told the complainant that “he had come particularly for her.”
The complainant reportedly opened the window and screamed for help, but the accused dragged her away, pinned her by the neck and assaulted her repeatedly with fists, threatening to kill her if she attempted to “act smart or alert the neighbours.”
“The complainant then got a chance to bite the accused on the lower lip and he became more aggressive and started assaulting the complainant with fists on the neck and shoulders to weaken her,” said Ms Mafu.
Mabhiele then tore the complainant’s skirt, forcibly removed her underwear and raped her. The court further heard that he remained in the house the entire night and continued to have non-consensual sexual intercourse with her “whenever he feels like” until the following morning, leaving the complainant unable to recall the number of times she was assaulted.
When the accused finally left the house the next morning, the complainant contacted her son, who alerted a relative nearby. A police report was subsequently filed, leading to the arrest of Mabhiele.
According to testimony, the arresting officer noted a fresh wound on Mabhiele’s lower lip, consistent with the bite described by the complainant.
The complainant was medically examined at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), and a medical affidavit was submitted to the court as evidence.
