Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
Hope Fountain, Bulawayo – A 21-year-old man from Bulawayo’s Hope Fountain area has been sentenced to an effective 40 years in prison for breaking into the home of his 81-year-old neighbour and raping her twice.
Gift Ncube was convicted in the Bulawayo Regional Magistrates’ Court on two counts of rape, with the magistrate ordering the sentences to run consecutively.
The court heard that the terrifying ordeal unfolded in the early hours of 15 February 2026. Ncube forced his way into the victim’s home through a window while she slept.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), which presented the facts of the case, the attack was violent from the outset. Prosecutors detailed how Ncube subdued the frail pensioner using extreme force before committing the first sexual assault.
“The offender broke into the home of his 81-year-old neighbour in Hope Fountain,” the NPAZ confirmed in a statement following the conviction.
“He violently subdued her, threatening to kill her while strangling her before forcing her to strip and raping her in her sitting room.”
In a horrifying escalation of the attack, Ncube then dragged his victim from the sitting room into her own bedroom, where he proceeded to rape her a second time.
Victim’s Bravery Leads to Capture
In a bizarre twist, Ncube reportedly fell into a deep sleep in the victim’s bed immediately after committing the heinous acts. Demonstrating incredible courage and composure, the 81-year-old woman managed to slip away from the sleeping man and flee to safety.
She quickly raised the alarm with neighbours, who rushed to the scene. Upon entering the home, the community members made a startling discovery.
“After committing these acts, the offender fell asleep in the victim’s bed,” the NPAZ detailed.
“The victim managed to escape and alerted neighbours, who effected a citizen’s arrest after finding the offender naked and asleep.” The broken window through which Ncube had gained entry provided clear evidence of the break-in.
The NPAZ welcomed the hefty sentence, highlighting the need to protect senior citizens from such predatory crimes.
“Breaking into the sanctuary of a senior citizen and subjecting them to such trauma is a violation of the highest order,” the Authority stated.
“The NPAZ condemns such acts and urges communities to protect the elderly.”
Gift Ncube will serve 20 years for each count of rape, with the sentences running consecutively. He will be well into his sixties before he becomes eligible for release.
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