Online Reporter
Lesley [email protected]
A 53-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo landlord has been ordered to perform 560 hours of community service for kidnapping his tenant for more than 12 hours after she refused to have sex with him.
Esau Sibanda, who resides in Lobengula suburb, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to illegal possession of drugs by Western Commonage magistrate Ms Skhetile Moyo.
Sibanda was sentenced to 16 months in prison, four of which were suspended for five years on condition that he did not commit a similar offence within that period.
The remaining 12 months were also suspended on condition that Sibanda performs 560 hours of community service at Njube Police Station.
According to the State case as presented by the prosecutor, Ms Melisa Dube, the incident occurred on February 5 at a house in Lobengula whereby Sibanda kidnapped Mrs Estel Mwembe (36) by locking her inside the house for more than 12 hours.
“It was around 7pm when Sibanda went to Mrs Mwembe’s house and upon arrival demanded to have sexual intercourse with her,” she said.
Ms Dube told the court that Sibanda is the landlord to Mrs Mwembe.
“After Mrs Mwembe refused his request, Sibanda demanded that she pays the outstanding amount of last month’s rent. She then went inside her room and Sibanda locked the door from outside.”
The court heard that Mrs Mwembe was rescued the following morning at around 11am when the neighbours noticed her absence.
