Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
An 18-year-old man from Glenview, Harare, was sentenced to 210 hours of community service after being found guilty of engaging in sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl.
Trevor Mhaka appeared before Mbare magistrate Ms Elizabeth Chivangu, who initially sentenced him to 10 months in prison.
However, four months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining six months were set aside on the condition that Mhaka completes 210 hours of community service.
According to prosecutor Blessing Chibowere, the incident occurred in January 2026 in Glen View 8, Harare.
Mhaka invited the complainant, who was his girlfriend at the time, to his house. She complied and went inside, where the accused fondled her before they engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse.
The two continued to have consensual sexual relations until March 8, 2026, when the complainant’s mother discovered romantic messages from Mhaka on her daughter’s cellphone.
Alarmed by the discovery, the mother reported the matter to ZRP Glen View, leading to Mhaka’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.
Despite the consensual nature of the relationship, the court found Mhaka guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, as Zimbabwean law does not recognise consent from individuals under the age of 18.
