Marange – Two 16-year-old boys are currently assisting police with their investigations following the emergence of a disturbing video on social media, which allegedly depicts them raping a 17-year-old Form Four pupil. The incident, involving students from Masasi High School in Marange, has sparked outrage and a complex legal debate in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) swiftly launched a comprehensive investigation after the video went viral, showing the two male students taking turns to sexually abuse the victim while recording the act on a mobile phone.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the victim, aged 17, has been located in Marange, Bocha. “Reference is made to the ZRP’s X post on September 28, 2025, in connection with the viral social media post on sexual activities by Masasi High School students. The ZRP has located the complainant, aged 17 and the two suspects, aged 16. More details will be released as inquiries continue,” Comm Nyathi stated.
The video, which was reportedly recorded in February, resurfaced when one of the male students allegedly decided to post it on social media last week, triggering widespread condemnation.
The incident has ignited a soul-searching exercise among Zimbabweans online, with many expressing their disgust and calling for justice. The police post on X, formerly Twitter, has been flooded with comments, reflecting the public’s shock and concern.
Some social media users have called for the suspects to be dealt with harshly, regardless of their age. One commenter, Pervy Sage, wrote: “If proven guilty, please set an example with them and forget their ages cause these boys know what they were doing, that’s some grown man actions which warrant grown man consequences.”
Another user, Princessofbel-air, added: “Deal with them harshly please rape is a very serious offence.”
However, the case presents a complex legal dilemma, as all three students involved are minors. While Zimbabwe’s law prohibits the recording and distribution of pornographic material and criminalises any sexual activity with persons under 18, the fact that the complainant is 17 and the suspects are 16 raises questions about how the law should be applied in this situation.
As Nzou, a commentator, pointed out: “Although Zimbabwe’s new law makes any sexual activity with persons under 18 a crime, the Masasi High School case is far from simple. All the teenagers involved are minors—two are 16, the complainant is 17. Prosecutors face a dilemma: the law treats them as both victims and offenders. With no ‘close-in-age’ exemption, consensual acts between peers technically become crimes.”
The Constitution demands that the best interests of the child guide all proceedings, and courts may be reluctant to impose harsh penalties that could stigmatise the children for life. This case exposes the tension between protecting minors from abuse and over-criminalising adolescent behaviour.
Nzou concludes: “It may well become a test case for how Zimbabwe applies its new age-of-consent law.”
The case has also highlighted the dangers of social media and the potential for such platforms to be used to exploit and abuse young people. The fact that the video was recorded and then shared online has amplified the harm caused to the victim and has raised concerns about the responsibility of social media companies to prevent the spread of such content.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police have assured the public that they are taking the matter seriously. The two suspects are currently assisting with inquiries, and more details will be released as the investigation progresses.
According to Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti, the incident occurred on July 19 at around 1 pm. Mutape allegedly raped the girl after pretending to help her while she was being harassed by touts at the rank. He offered her shelter in a parked commuter omnibus, where he later followed and raped her.
Mutape was advised to apply for bail at the High Court and is set to return to court on October 13.
Follow @MyZimbabweNews
