By Rex Mphisa
FOR his total disrespect of God, women and children, a man from Lutumba, Beitbridge, has been jailed for 15 years after raping a woman going to an all night prayer.
Clement Machanjala had the audecity to chase away his victim’s friend, stab his victim before raping her next to her two-year-old child.
That brazen disrespect did not sit well with the Regional Magistrate’s Court presided over by Charity Maphosa who jailed Machanjala for 15 years.
On the night in question the complainant, who cannot be named to protect her dignity, was walking with a friend home to an all-night prayer service.
While their spirits were at peace looking forward to quality time with their creator, the devil arrived in Machanjala.
Armed with a knife, he stood in between them, and ordered his victim’s friend away at knife-point.
In total defiance of his victim’s faith he force-marched her towards her church. He held her hand in the process.
He led her to a secluded place and strangled her when she screamed for help.
He stabbed her on the hand and seized her phone.
Subdued, she pleaded that he allows her to return to her child left sleeping at home.
At home, the panic stricken victim went straight to sit with her child.
Using his victim’s phone for lighting accused navigated around inside the room and locked the door before undressing and helping himself on the helpless woman he raped once.
He had forcibly removed her undergarments to proceed without protection.
He dressed and left with two mobile phones belonging to his victim.
The morning after on November 14, 2025 at around 0545 hours the victim’s friend arrived and she poured out her heart on the encounter with the devil.
Together they set for Beitbridge Police who referred them to hospital.
Prosecutor Wilbrought Muleya produced he medical report as part of his evidence against Machanjala.
In the same sitting Machanjala was jailed an additional six months for assault.
On the same day, November 13, 2025, he saw Adonis Chimuti walking with Pettygirl Ndou at Lutumba.
He approached the pair wielding his Okapi knife and stood in between them.
He then drew Chimuti closer to him and stabbed him once on the left lower back.
The court ruled he was a societal misfit.