By Kudakwashe Kutinyo
Businesswomen are often portrayed as leading lavish lives—adorned with designer labels, luxury cars, jewellery, and signature fragrances. Yet, for Sipho Mazibuko, wealth has also become a plat-form to champion justice in Zimbabwe’s marginalised rural communities.
The flamboyant Mazibuk, founder of Miss Rural Zimbabwe, recently found herself on the other side of the law.
She was arrested for disorderly conduct after attempting to stage an unsanctioned protest near the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court. Joining her were Matabeleland North’s Mr and Miss Rural titleholders and her personal aides, all detained for disregarding police warnings against demonstrating.
Despite her luxurious lifestyle, Mazibuko’s motives that day were anything but superficial. Limp-ing and visibly distressed, she needed assistance into the police van. Her demand: justice for a 16-year-old girl from Mbembesi, Matabeleland North, who was allegedly raped repeatedly by her un-cle under the pretence of spiritual healing for the girl’s mother.
Mazibuko explained, “The witnesses are too scared to testify because the accused’s family has been threatening them. Now the courts say the case might be dismissed if no one comes forward. That’s why I acted.”
According to Mazibuko, the accused—a cross-border truck driver—abused his niece, leveraging family desperation for a miracle cure. When it became clear that intimidation was silencing critical testimony, Mazibuko led her own informal investigation.
Working in tandem with the police, she tapped into her networks and, in a remarkable move, posed as a wealthy suitor to lure the suspect. Promising him wealth, travel, and a better life, Mazibuko’s undercover operation secured explicit evidence, including incriminating messages that proved piv-otal in his arrest.
Her efforts did not stop with the investigation. Mazibuko ensured that the young survivor could continue her education, organising for her to transfer to a new school where she now receives sup-port.
Both the accused and his mother have been detained, awaiting trial. Court documents reveal the abuse began on February 4 around 10pm after the driver’s return from South Africa. The accused’s mother allegedly ordered her daughter to submit, claiming it was necessary to heal the girl’s sick mother. After initially complying in desperation, the girl endured ongoing abuse each weekend the uncle returned from his cross-border trips.
On March 14, she confided in a relative, who contacted Mazibuko. Just two days later, Mazibuko intervened, ensuring the victim received medical care.
Cases of cross-border traders exploiting vulnerable individuals are a persistent threat in Zimbabwe. Mazibuko’s courageous intervention—combining activism and subterfuge—may serve as a deter-rent to others contemplating similar crimes, and stands as a powerful example of how personal influence can be wielded for the greater good.
