Umguza man rapes 2 minor girls in presence of younger sister

A 38-YEAR-OLD man from Makwati Village in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province, appeared in court for sentencing after he took turns to sexually attack two minor girls aged 11 and 12 in his bedroom hut while their nine-year-old younger sister was watching.

He was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years in jail.
Bukhosi Hleza appeared on Tuesday before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Lungile Ncube, facing three counts of rape. The magistrate sentenced him to 15 years for each count and stated that counts two and three would run concurrently, meaning he will serve 30 years’ imprisonment.

“Bukhosi Hleza threatened to axe the minors before force-marching them to his bedroom hut where, upon arrival, he ordered them to strip naked and lie on the bed,” prosecutor, Mr Sehliselo Khumalo, said.
“He then took turns to rape them while their younger sister was watching through a window. The incident will linger in their minds and haunt them.

During the sexual attacks, he damaged their sexual organs and threatened to stab them if they screamed or told anyone,” he told the court.
“The age difference between the complainants and the accused is huge and that makes it aggravatory. The State prays for 15 years for each count.”
Narrating the ordeal, Mr Khumalo said sometime in February 2025, the 12-year-old complainant and her friend, who is also aged 11, met the accused person on their way from school.

The accused invited them for lunch at his home. They agreed and headed to his place.
“Upon arrival, he threatened to axe them into pieces and on other occasions he would threaten to stab them with a knife,” said Mr Khumalo. “The accused locked the door and ordered the complainant and her friend to go on top of his bed. He then took off the complainant’s clothes and had sexual intercourse with them while one of the victim’s nine-year-old sister was watching.”

The court heard that on 31 October last year, the 12-year-old complainant met the accused on the road and he called her to his house.
“The complainant went to the accused’s house where he had sexual intercourse with her once without protection and without her consent.

“The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person. The complainant was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical examination and a medical affidavit was produced as evidence in court,” said Mr Khumalo.

The court further heard that sometime between January last year and October, the complainants met the offender standing by the gate. He asked them to help locate his missing cellphone.

“They went inside the room and while they were inside, the accused locked the door and instructed the complainant and her friend to go on top of his bed. The accused then produced an axe and a knife, removed the complainant’s clothes and raped the 11-year-old once on the bed. After that, he raped the 12-year-old. The matter was reported to the police,” said Mr Khumalo.