Zimbabwe is currently overwhelmed with a disturbing surge in rape cases, with recent incidents highlighting the vulnerability of women and the urgent need for stricter measures to combat sexual violence. The courts have been busy dealing with these cases, handing down sentences in some instances while others are still under investigation.
In a particularly shocking case, a 37-year-old man from Mandaza Village in Mhondoro has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping his 56-year-old mother-in-law. Walter Maponga was convicted of both rape and assault by Harare regional magistrate Ms Jessie Kufa, who ruled that the State had successfully proven a prima facie case against him.
The prosecution, led by Mr Blessed Songozo, presented compelling evidence that on September 17, at Makoni Village, Maponga broke into his mother-in-law’s bedroom while she was inside with her 94-year-old mother. Upon entering, he assaulted her, accusing her of taking his wife.
The situation escalated when Maponga sat on top of his mother-in-law after she had fallen onto her back during the altercation, and then proceeded to rape her. Fortunately, Messrs Godfrey Makoni and Cleopas Nziramasanga intervened and apprehended Maponga at the scene, preventing further harm.
In another disturbing case, a 50-year-old man from Ntabazinduna has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of raping his ex-wife in a bushy area near Sonjini, Mbembesi. Bekezela Dlangamandla, whose surname ominously translates to “he eats violently without permission,” lived up to his name when he dragged the complainant from her homestead into a nearby bush and violated her.
Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga informed the court that on 1 April 2025, Dlangamandla forcibly grabbed his ex-wife, forced her to lie down, and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. The traumatised woman later confided in her daughter about the ordeal. The matter was reported to the police on 4 April, leading to Dlangamandla’s arrest.
Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Joseph Mabeza condemned Dlangamandla’s “violent and predatory behaviour” and imposed a harsh penalty of an effective 15-year prison sentence.
Adding to the grim statistics, a 40-year-old teacher has been arrested for allegedly raping his 19-year-old student on three separate occasions. Stonehouse Maphosa, of Mpopoma, appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Pasipanodya Maturure facing three counts of rape. He is currently out on bail and has been remanded to December 4 for trial.
The State, represented by Christina Manyika, revealed that Maphosa is a teacher at Msiteli High School. The court heard that the alleged abuse began in August when Maphosa reportedly asked for the student’s cellphone during school hours, dialed his number into it, and returned it to her.
Later that day, he called her asking if she was free, but she declined, stating that she was busy. On another afternoon in August, he called her again and directed her to his home. Manyika told the court that he lifted her onto a sink, told her to close her eyes, and kissed and hugged her. The student managed to flee from the house.
The State claims that in August, Maphosa called her to his house where he allegedly raped her. He is accused of raping her again twice that month.
On November 11, police received a tip-off that the complainant had reported the abuse to the school, but no action had been taken. Police visited Msiteli High School on November 12, interviewed the pupil, and arrested the teacher. She was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical examinations.
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