Four men from Gwanda, Zhombe, Bulawayo and Mberengwa have been handed lengthy prison sentences in separate rape cases involving children and an adult woman, with a combined total of 59 years imposed by the courts.
The cases, heard in different parts of Zimbabwe, include the conviction of a 73-year-old grandfather who repeatedly abused his 13-year-old granddaughter, a 26-year-old Bulawayo man who raped a neighbour’s 12-year-old daughter, and a 28-year-old herdsman who attacked his employer’s 11-year-old child after being left in charge of her. The fourth case involved a 23-year-old Mberengwa man who was convicted of raping a 29-year-old woman twice in one night.
The sentences have placed renewed attention on the scale of sexual violence cases reaching Zimbabwean courts. National figures released during the first quarter of 2026 recorded 7 061 sexual and gender-based violence cases across the country. Of those, 1 559 were recorded as rape cases, while 1 364 were statutory rape cases involving children. Prosecutors secured 3 776 convictions across all categories during the period, including 734 convictions in rape cases and 708 in statutory rape cases.
In Gwanda, a 28-year-old herdsman from the Gulyu area was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of raping his employer’s 11-year-old daughter. The court heard that the girl had been left in his custody together with her two siblings, aged eight and six, while their mother attended a funeral.
The offence took place on March 7. The herdsman was responsible for the children at the time, but the court found that he took advantage of the situation and entered the bedroom where the complainant was sleeping with her siblings in the middle of the night.
The man pleaded not guilty, but was convicted after the State presented evidence which the court found sufficient to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt. He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, with three years suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Prosecutor Khumbulani Nyoni told the court that the accused had been entrusted with the safety of the children before turning against the eldest girl. The complainant’s identity was not disclosed because she is a minor.
In Zhombe, a 73-year-old man was sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison after being convicted of repeatedly raping his 13-year-old granddaughter. The abuse began in October 2024, when he took the girl to a kraal in Mbondiya Village, under Chief Samambwa.
The court heard that the man ordered the child to undress, forcibly restrained her and raped her. He then gave her money and warned her not to tell anyone about what had happened.
“Sometime in October 2024, the offender asked the victim to accompany him to a kraal in Mbondiya Village under Chief Samambwa in Zhombe. On their way, he ordered her to undress, forcibly restrained her, and raped her. Afterwards, he gave her money and warned her not to disclose the incident,” said NPAZ.
The abuse did not end with the first attack. Prosecutors said the offender continued to sexually abuse the child on multiple occasions, taking advantage of times when the victim’s grandmother was away from home. The abuse continued until July 31, 2026, according to the prosecution account.
“The offender continued to sexually abuse the juvenile on multiple occasions until the 31st of July 2026, taking advantage of times when the victim’s grandmother was away from home,” NPAZ said.
The case illustrates the vulnerability of children who depend on relatives and other trusted adults for protection. In this instance, the relationship between the offender and the child gave him access to her and allowed the abuse to continue over an extended period before the matter reached court.
A Bulawayo man, Mduduzi Sibanda, 26, was also sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping his neighbour’s 12-year-old daughter. Sibanda, of Sunninghill suburb, was convicted by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube.
The court heard that Sibanda met the girl at a tuckshop in Sunninghill on August 16 and offered to escort her home. Instead of taking her directly to her house, he diverted to his own home on the pretext of dropping off groceries.
Once inside the property, the prosecution said, he took the child into his bedroom and attacked her. A report was made to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest. The girl was later taken to hospital for a medical examination.
“Once inside the house, Sibanda dragged the girl into his bedroom, pushed her onto the bed and raped her,” said prosecutor Ms Rumbidzai Gwishiri.
The fourth sentence was handed to Nkululeko Moyo, 23, of Mapfumo Village under Chief Mutevaidze in Mberengwa. He received 17 years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape following a full trial at the Zvishavane Regional Magistrates’ Court.
Regional magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster imposed the sentence after finding Moyo guilty. The case involved a 29-year-old woman who worked as a sex worker and had agreed to spend the night with Moyo in exchange for payment.
The court heard that the incident happened at about 3 am on May 19 last year. Moyo and the woman had agreed to go to his house, but while they were walking, he broke an empty beer bottle and demanded money from her.
When she told him that she had no money, he dragged her into nearby bush, forced her to undress and raped her. After the first assault, the court heard, he ordered her to dress and walk with him for about 100 metres before forcing her to undress again and raping her for a second time.
Following the second attack, Moyo ordered the woman to dress and continue walking with him. They later heard voices approaching from behind them, prompting him to flee. The victim reported the matter at a local police station and was referred to Mberengwa Hospital for medical examination. The report led to Moyo’s arrest and subsequent conviction.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said it strongly condemns sexual violence and gender-based violence.
“Perpetrators who use force and intimidation will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” NPAZ said.
“The NPAZ urges members of the public to report all instances of sexual abuse to ensure justice is delivered.”
The latest convictions also come as the prosecution service works through a substantial number of cases. Of the 7 061 sexual and gender-based violence cases recorded nationally during the first quarter, 1 961 remained pending at the end of March. Officials have said the volume of cases has placed pressure on manual, paper-based systems and prompted the introduction of a digitised gender-based violence case management system.
For the four men sentenced in Gwanda, Zhombe, Bulawayo and Mberengwa, the prison terms mark the conclusion of separate court processes. For the victims, the cases record four different forms of abuse: a child left in the care of a trusted adult, a girl repeatedly attacked by a close family member, a child led away by a neighbour and an adult woman subjected to two assaults after force and intimidation were used against her.
Together, the cases show how sexual offences can occur in homes, rural communities, public trading areas and isolated bush locations. They also show the importance of prompt reporting, medical examination and prosecution in bringing offenders before the courts.
The sentences handed down were 12 years in the Gwanda case, 15 years in Zhombe, 15 years in Bulawayo and 17 years in Mberengwa. In total, the courts imposed 59 years of imprisonment, with the Gwanda sentence including three years suspended on specified conditions.