Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
A GWANDA Prison inmate’s nightmare turned into a criminal conviction after a fellow prisoner pounced on him in the dead of night and sodomised him.
Praise Sibanda (23), who was already serving time, has been slapped with a fresh 12-month jail sentence after he was found guilty of aggravated indecent assault. Three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour for the next five years.
Regional magistrate Mrs Sithembiso Ndebele said Sibanda’s actions were a serious violation and a deterrent sentence was the only way to deal with such behaviour behind bars.
According to prosecutor Ms Zanele Sithole, the incident happened on 13 July 2025 when the 18-year-old complainant was asleep. Sibanda crept up, fondled him, kissed him on the neck and then forced himself on the teenager.
When the victim tried to resist, Sibanda allegedly threatened him with violence if he made any noise. At dawn, other inmates tipped off prison officers about the ordeal and the matter was swiftly reported to the police.
In court, Sibanda denied the charges, claiming he had been framed by jealous fellow inmates, but the magistrate ruled that overwhelming evidence proved his guilt.
“The prison environment is supposed to rehabilitate offenders, not create fresh trauma. Such conduct stalls that purpose. The accused clearly still requires rehabilitation,” said Mrs Ndebele as she handed down the sentence.
Sibanda is now serving his second stretch, this time for preying on a fellow prisoner instead of reforming.
@DubeMatutu
