Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
THE 36-year-old Bulawayo man who was sentenced to serve three years in jail for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl had his appeal dismissed for failing to submit grounds of appeal.
Godwell Mumba, who trended for being in love with a minor girl, was convicted and sentenced to three years in jail by Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate, Mr Themba Chimiso.
However, Mumba, who is serving his sentence, felt the sentence was too harsh since he was in love with the 14-year-old girl and filed an appeal at the Bulawayo High Court.
The court dismissed Mumba’s appeal for failing to follow proper procedure.
“I refer to my letter dated 18 March 2026 in which you were called upon to file heads of argument. To date, no heads of argument have been received.
“The Criminal Appeal is, therefore, deemed to have been abandoned and is accordingly dismissed in terms of Rule 100(22) of the High Court Rules, 2021. By copy of this letter, the records of Criminal Appeal are being returned to the court of origin to enable the respondent to execute the judgement appealed against,” read court papers.
The court heard that from January this year until early February, Mumba engaged in sex with a 14-year-old who cannot be named for ethical reasons.
“From January this year, the accused had consensual sex with the girl on several occasions until early February,” the court heard.
Detectives from Homicide swooped on him after his alleged victim blew his cover.
