dyton mupawaenda
What the heck?
A Tsholotsho man who sexually abused and impregnated his daughter has been sentenced to 40 years in prison — a strong reminder that justice catches up with abusers, no matter who they are.
The 40-year-old man from Mkhubazi Line, whose name is withheld to protect the identity of his daughter (19), was convicted of two counts of rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate Lungile Ncube.
In scathing remarks during sentencing, the magistrate said the man’s actions violated all human decency and the values of Ubuntu.
“The accused violated the values of Ubuntu and his conduct is evil and deplorable. Such people deserve to be removed from society for a long time. Accordingly, a lengthy prison term would meet the justice of the matter,” said Ncube.
Prosecutors Siphiwe Mhlanga and Hazel Ncube told the court that the man repeatedly raped his daughter between June 2022 and July 2025.
Each time, he would threaten to beat her up if she told anyone.
The abuse began shortly after the father separated from his wife.
The victim, who had gone to live with him, found herself trapped in fear as her father turned into a predator.
Shockingly, the unashamed man claimed in his defence that he had “proposed love” to his daughter and that their relationship was consensual.
However, the young woman stood firm in court, telling the magistrate that her father forced himself on her several times until she fell pregnant around September 2023.
She testified that her father stalked her, followed her to work, and would beat her up whenever he saw messages from male friends on her phone.
“Whenever my father stumbled on a WhatsApp message of me communicating with a male person or lover, he would beat me up. Sometime in July this year, I fled to another village where my mother stays,” the victim stated.
Her father, however, tracked her down, dragged her back home and raped her again.
In her victim impact statement, the brave survivor spoke with courage.
“My father betrayed the trust I had in him and impregnated me. Now, I have a child and how will I call her? The issue left me hurt and I pray that this court will jail him for 15 years,” she said. — Bulawayo Bureau
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In-laws bash son-in-law over
delayed lobola payment
IT was fists before family at a Cowdray Park snooker table when four hot-headed in-laws teamed up to teach their son-in-law a painful “lesson” for taking too long to pay lobola (bride price).
What started as a casual game turned into a mini-boxing match after the four men — Silence Maboda (23), Motion Maboda (20), Gerald Mupatsi (23) and Pardon Manzvidza (20) — ganged up on Cosmas Utete (27), accusing him of dragging his feet on making the expected payments.
The quartet, all from Cowdray Park, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube, who found them guilty of assault.
They were fined US$150 each, payable by December 5.
Failure to pay will earn each of them a three-month sentence behind bars.
Prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu told the court that the drama exploded on October 19 near the Cowdray Park signpost, where the group had gathered to play snooker.
As the balls clacked, tempers flared when the in-laws started grilling Cosmas about why he was taking too long to formalise his union.
“Why are you delaying to pay lobola for our sister?” one of them reportedly shouted as the others closed in.
The verbal jabs quickly turned physical.
The furious foursome allegedly pounced on the hapless man, slapping, punching and dragging him to the ground in full view of stunned onlookers.
By the time peace was restored, poor Cosmas had a black eye and bruised pride.
He was later referred to a local hospital for treatment and promptly reported the matter to the police.
The four were arrested and hauled to court, where the magistrate reminded them that “lobola matters belong to family negotiations, not street fights”. — Bulawayo Bureau
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49-year-old jailed for raping minors related to him
A 49-year-old man from Chirumhanzu will spend the next 20 years behind bars after a Gweru court convicted him of rape and aggravated indecent assault involving minors related to him.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the man committed separate attacks against multiple victims.
In one instance, he raped his 17-year-old stepdaughter while she was sweeping.
“He fondled her breast, pushed her to the bed and overpowered her.
“The offender raped the victim and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter,” said the NPAZ.
The offender also targeted a 13-year-old girl, waking her up at night under the pretext of disciplining her for bed wetting before assaulting her.
He inserted his fingers into her private parts.
The abuse only came to light after the 13-year-old confided in her 11-year-old half-sister, at which point they discovered they were both victims.
The matter was reported after a police tip-off led to interviews with the victims.
The man was convicted on all counts and sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison. — Midlands Bureau
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Wife arrested for stabbing husband over debt
A heated domestic dispute over debts to loan sharks turned nasty in Epworth when a woman allegedly stabbed her husband, resulting in his intestines protruding.
Police confirmed the incident in a statement on X, announcing the arrest of Tafadzwa Mandaza following the stabbing of her husband Abraham Chirivhayo during a violent altercation.
The police statement read: “The ZRP confirms the arrest of Tafadzwa Mandaza (31) in Epworth on October 23, 2025 in connection with the stabbing of her husband, Abraham Chirivhayo (35), with a knife during a dispute over debts to loan sharks.”
Neighbours were reportedly left traumatised after finding Chirivhayo writhing in pain, clutching his stomach as blood soaked the floor.
He was immediately rushed to a local hospital.
“The complainant has since been referred to a local hospital for medical attention after sustaining a deep cut on the stomach, resulting in protruding intestines. More details regarding the complainant’s condition will be released in due course,” added the police.
The couple’s argument is believed to have started after loan sharks allegedly visited their home demanding payment, sparking a heated exchange that quickly spiralled out of control. — Harare Bureau
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15-year sentence for attempted bar rape
A 32-year-old Tsholotsho man has been slapped with a 15-year prison sentence after attempting to rape a woman outside a local bar.
Tholakele Ncube, from Efusini suburb, was convicted of attempted rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira.
Prosecutor Jethro Mada told the court that the shocking incident happened on August 24, around 9pm, at Sizalendaba Sports Bar, Tsholotsho town centre.
The complainant had stepped outside briefly while drinking with friends when Ncube followed her.
“The accused slapped the complainant and dragged her to a darker area, pushing her to the ground and trying to rape her,” said Mada.
Thankfully, the attack was unsuccessful as the woman’s tight clothing prevented the assault. A desperate struggle followed, with the victim screaming for help.
A passerby rushed to her aid, forcing Ncube to flee. The woman was left bleeding from the stomach and had a swollen eye and cuts.
She subsequently filed a police report at the Tsholotsho Police Station, which led to Ncube’s arrest.
Justice was swift and firm, leaving the town shaken but reassured that such violent attacks carry serious consequences. — Bulawayo Bureau
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