Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A MAN and his nephew from Bulawayo were yesterday each sentenced to 20 years in jail for taking turns to rape a 30-year-old woman. The woman, who had travelled from Plumtree in January to start work in the city, was left stranded as there was no one at her employer’s house.
She then met one of her rapists.
Munyaradzi Gwatsvaira, 48, from Mzilikazi suburb and Busani Manungo from Northend, had pleaded not guilty to rape before regional magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
Magistrate Msipa- Marondedze, however, convicted the two saying the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The two pleaded not guilty to rape charges with Gwatsvaira claiming he wanted to marry his victim who consented to sex. His nephew also alleged he had sex with the woman based on an agreement to pay her with a cellphone,” said Msipa-Marondedze.
“You are therefore sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each of which two years is suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.”
Prosecuting, Paida Zengeni said the woman was waiting for her uncle to come pick her up near McKeurtan Primary School.
“Gwatsvaira approached the woman and told her he was looking for a house maid. He offered a $150 monthly salary. The woman said she was interested as the offer was more than her current salary and they left, heading to Northend,” said Zengeni.
“He took the woman to Manungo’s place claiming that it was his mother who needed a housemaid. When they got into the house, he led the woman to a room and locked it.”
The court heard that Gwatsvaira started undressing the woman.
“He then raped the woman once and she screamed for help to no avail. After the act, the woman heard footsteps and Gwatsvaira dressed up and left the room using a different door,” Zengeni said.
“As he was leaving, Manungo entered the room, locked the door and raped the woman once. The woman managed to flee and made a police report leading to the arrest of the duo”.