GWERU — A 22-year-old Debbis Quarry Zada Granite Construction employee has been slapped with a
15-year jail term for raping a 15-year-old girl who was on her way to church.
Panashe Taderera pleaded guilty to rape charges when he appeared before Gweru Regional
Magistrate Christopher Maturure.
The Magistrate sentenced Taderera to 17 years in prison but suspended two years on condition that
he does not commit a similar offence in the future.
The court head that on July 30 at around 11am, the girl was going to church at Josiah Tongogara
Airforce base and along the way, she saw Taderera sitting by the road and followed her.
Upon reaching Gweru River along Mvuma road, Taderera tripped the unsuspecting girl, and raped
her once without protection while closing her mouth with one hand to stop her from screaming.
Taderera ran away from the scene after the incident.
The complainant reported the issue to Mavonei Ganyani, one of the church members, who then
informed other church members who teamed up for a search. Then apprehended Taderera in
Winsor Park near the railway line and handed him over to Zimbabwe Republic Police Gweru Central.
The medical report which was presented before the court proved that the girl was sexually abused.
Prosecutor Eggrina Maruti told the court that Taderera, who is a resident of Jekwa village in
Murehwa district under Chief Mangwende, was staying at Debbis Quarry Zada Granite Construction
along Mvuma road as an employee during the time he committed the offence.