Nkosentsha Khumalo-Reporter
Deep in the heart of rural Zimbabwe, the small village of Jotsholo in Lupane, Matabeleland South is in a state of high alert.
The rolling hills and lush green fields are no longer a source of comfort, but a breeding ground for fear.
Women and girls venture out into the countryside with trepidation, for they know all too well the dangers that lurk in the bushes.
The sound of a borehole gushing with water is no longer a soothing sound, but a constant reminder of the horrors that can befall anyone at any given time.
The tension is palpable, the fear unshakable. It’s not just the women who are affected, but the entire community.
Fathers, brothers, and sons live in a state of constant worry, knowing that their loved ones are at risk every time they leave the safety of the homestead. And still, the horror continues, with new reports of violence and crime emerging every day.
Shockingly, a 16-Year-old boy was at the receiving end of the law on Monday when he was arraigned before the Hwange Magistrates Courts facing two counts of rape charges.
The accused, whose identity cannot be disclosed due to legal reasons, carried out the heinous acts against two women, a 24-Year old who was in the presence of her young 9 year old daughter and another 21-Year old woman.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident occurred on April 2, 2024 at approximately 5 pm.
The three women, each going about their daily routine, had no reason to suspect the terror that was about to befall them.
As they walked along the dusty road, chatting and laughing, the sound of footsteps behind them was barely noticed. But then, in an instant, everything changed.
A hand reached out, grabbing the 24-year-old by the arm. The women froze in terror, as a knife was pressed against her throat and the accused snarled at them to be silent. And then, the unthinkable happened.
Armed with a knife, the young boy unbelievable forced the victims to halt their movements.
With their hearts pounding in their chests, the women tried to run, but it was no use. The accused was too fast, too strong, and too determined to let them escape.
He chased them down and apprehended them.
Terrified, the women did as they were told, obeying the 16 year old’s every command.
The boy separated the 24-year-old from her young daughter. He ordered the 9 year old to flee the scene, as her mother was separately dragged away.
It was a nightmare come to life, and there was no waking up from it.
The boy then continued with his terror and ordered the two women to lie on the ground.
In a horrifying sequence of events, the accused then compelled the 24 Year old woman to remove her clothes and raped her.
Following this, he also forced the other woman to remove her clothes as well and subjected her to the same ordeal. He raped them at knife point.
Shockingly, the boy who happens to have not been satisfied with first rounds of rape proceeded to rape the first complainant again for the second time, exhibiting a complete disregard for the victims’ well-being and dignity.
On the April 3, 2024, the two women summoned the courage to report the incident to the local authorities, leading to the prompt arrest of the 16 Year old boy.
Subsequently, the Hwange Magistrates’ Court found the accused guilty on all counts of rape.
The court delivered a severe sentence, imposing a 15 year imprisonment term for each count. Crucially, it was determined that the sentences would run concurrently.
The 16 Year-Old has hence been sentenced to serve all 30 years in prison.
Zim GBC News ©2024