NEW: Man slapped with 23 years for rape, robbery

Online Reporter

A 33-year-old Mbare man was yesterday sentenced to 23 years in prison by a Harare magistrate after being convicted of raping and robbing a 23-year-old woman.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in a statement: “The 23-year-old complainant and the accused person met at Mbare Musika on the 15th of June 2024 at around 1830hrs as the complainant was coming from Masvingo.”

The NPA said the man offered to help the complainant with her luggage for no fee.

He took the complainant to a dark spot near Simon Mazorodze fly-over, Mbare, on the pretence that he was taking her to a place where she could easily get transport into the Central Business District.

“Upon arrival at the fly-over, the accused person demanded USD20 as payment for his services. The complainant told him that she had no money and offered to give him USD3. He, however, refused to accept it. The accused person took the complainant’s luggage and disappeared into a nearby tunnel,” said the NPA.

“The complainant followed him and he produced a knife, and threatened the complainant before raping her. After the commission of the offense, the accused person stole the complainant’s laptop and power pack.

“The complainant was assisted by a passer-by who took her to the police. She positively identified the accused person at Mbare Musika rank the following day, leading to the recovery of the laptop and power pack.”

The man got 15 years for rape and eight more for robbery.