Danisa Masuku
A 54-YEAR-OLD Tsholotsho man who allegedly attacked a woman in the dead of night has been jailed for 15 years after his distinctive squeaky voice helped expose him.
Amos Sidingani was convicted of rape and sentenced to 15 years in jail by Bulawayo magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla on Thursday.
In handing down the sentence, Mkandla said Sidingani’s voice gave him away when the victim’s grandmother confronted him.
“His distinct and squeaky voice sold him out. When the granny asked who you were you responded in a squeaky voice and the complainant was able to identify you by your distinct voice,” she said.
The magistrate said the victim also identified Sidingani by the faded pink trousers and long jacket he was wearing during the attack.
She further noted that the complainant was injured when she fought back as Sidingani allegedly tried to stab her.
“The complainant sustained cuts on her hands and left you with blood stains on your shirt. When you were arrested soon after the incident you had blood stains and that corroborated with the evidence of the granny,” said Ms Mkandla.
Prosecutor Ms Karen Gundani told the court that on August 12, 2026, at around 11.30pm, Sidingani allegedly broke into the complainant’s bedroom hut at a homestead in Luhonja Line, Sipepa.
The complainant was asleep when she was awakened by the sound of her bedroom door being forcibly opened.
“The complainant got up from the bed and switched on the torch. The accused entered the complainant’s bedroom hut and he drew closer to the complainant.”
The woman screamed for help, but Sidingani allegedly ordered her to keep quiet and threatened to kill her with a knife.
“Complainant shouted for help but accused ordered her to keep quiet and threatened to kill her with a knife,” said Ms Gundani.
Sidingani allegedly pushed the complainant onto the bed and tried to rape her, but she resisted and fought back.
The struggle left the woman injured, with Sidingani allegedly sustaining blood stains on his clothes before fleeing.
He was arrested shortly after the attack.
The court found the evidence linking him to the crime compelling and sentenced him to 15 years behind bars.
