By Panashe Karidzagundi
GOKWE, Zimbabwe – An 18-year-old man from Gokwe South has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping his 42-year-old aunt.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident occurred on May 16, 2026, at around 5 a.m. while the offender and the victim were walking to a nearby village for casual labour.
Court proceedings revealed that during the journey, the offender suddenly attacked the woman, grabbing her by the neck and tripping her to the ground.
Despite resisting and fighting back, the victim was overpowered and sexually assaulted.
The attack was interrupted when a passerby heard screams and distress calls coming from a nearby bush.
The witness rushed to the scene and reportedly caught the offender in the act, forcing the assault to stop.
After rescuing the victim, the passerby assisted her in getting dressed and escorted her safely home.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to the immediate arrest of the teenager.
Following investigations and prosecution, the court convicted the teenager and imposed an effective 15-year prison sentence.
The NPAZ said the conviction demonstrates the justice system’s commitment to combating sexual violence and protecting vulnerable members of society.
“The NPAZ warns that perpetrators of sexual violence will be prosecuted and held accountable,” the authority said in a statement.