Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
BULAWAYO businesswoman and philanthropist Sipho Mazibuko, widely known as NaZoe, has recently emerged as a symbol of hope in the persistent fight against sexual violence. Mazibuko, who has adopted the moniker “rich aunt” after her brave involvement in the arrest of a suspected rapist, has committed her life to advocating for mental health awareness and offering vital support to those who have survived abuse through her Mental Voices Trust.
Recently, her unwavering bravery was put to the ultimate test when she played a pivotal role in ensuring a suspected sexual predator was brought to justice.
The distressing case, which has deeply shaken the local community, involves the complainant’s uncle, a cross-border lorry driver who stands accused of repeatedly and heinously violating his 16-year-old niece under the false pretence of “healing” her ailing mother’s undiagnosed illness. This deceitful manipulation allegedly resulted in the accused raping the victim on 10 separate occasions.
The horrific abuse came to light when a courageous whistle-blower from Mabheleni Village in Mbembesi, Matabeleland North Province reported to Mazibuko that a teenager was being abused by her uncle.
Recognising the profound gravity of such allegations, Mazibuko immediately sprang into action. Drawing upon her extensive experience in philanthropy and community outreach, she meticulously formulated a plan to ensure that these serious allegations were treated with the utmost seriousness and that justice would ultimately be served.
Recounting the unfolding events, Mazibuko said she told herself that she would not stand a situation whereby young girls suffer at the hands of rapists.
“I am a survivor, and I know the nauseating and gut-wrenching feeling. The victim who is now under my care wanted to commit suicide. That is when a relative informed a whistle-blower, who then informed me. I didn’t think twice. I made a call and immediately sprang into action, and we drove to Mbembesi,” she said.
She recounted how her actions involved close collaboration with the police, leveraging her extensive network to gather crucial information and evidence. Mazibuko described her unwavering determination as she worked tirelessly to support the victim, whose own home had tragically become a place of horror.
“When we arrived there, I used inDrive to Mbembesi. I didn’t care how much it would cost, but I had to get to this girl. Her life depended on it. After I managed to rescue her, I made sure I provided emotional backing and resources through the Mental Voices Foundation to ensure her safety. Survivors must know they are not alone,” she said.
In her determined efforts to facilitate the arrest, Mazibuko cleverly presented herself as a potential client seeking the uncle’s services for transporting a collection of antique sofas from Bulawayo to South Africa. Through this guise, she skilfully cultivated a seemingly affectionate relationship with him, painting a picture of wealth and international travel. Mazibuko painted a future when he would never need to work again, portraying herself as a prosperous businesswoman offering him a life of luxury and exotic trips to destinations like Dubai and China. The unspoken agreement was that he would abandon his occupation as a cross-border trader to become her kept man.
“He was elusive at first, but his lust led him right into my trap,” said Mazibuko.
Their initial formal exchanges soon evolved into a series of messages, including some explicit content that depicted himself and Mazibuko engaging in sexual acts. The dynamic shifted from a purely professional interaction to what appeared to be an “affectionate” relationship and as such it was easy to cause his arrest.
“We need to stand together and create a community where such behaviour is not tolerated,” said Mazibuko.
She said she has since enrolled the victim at a school to ensure that she doesn’t fall out of her studies.
“I organised fees for her as well as money for uniforms and other stuff. She is up to date with school and is very intelligent,” said Mazibuko.
The alleged rapist and his mother have since appeared in court, where they have been remanded in custody pending trial. According to court documents, the first incident occurred on February 4 at about 10pm, when the accused arrived from delivering goods from South Africa to locals.
“. . . the complainant was studying in her room when the two accused persons entered the room. The first accused (mother) instructed the complainant to have sexual intercourse with the second accused (the uncle), if she wanted her mother to be healed from the sickness she was suffering from. Out of desperation, the complainant agreed to,” reads part of the court document.
It was then stated that the first accused then left the room, leaving the complainant to rape the victim.
“He ordered the complainant to lie on the bed and had unprotected sexual intercourse with the complainant twice,” the document reads.
Thereafter, on every weekend, it was alleged that he would come from his South African base and rape the complainant.
“On March 14, the complainant narrated her ordeal to a relative, who then alerted Sipho Mazibuko, the founder of Miss Rural Zimbabwe, who then came to the complainant’s rescue on March 16. The complainant was referred for medical examination.”
