Harare,  (New Ziana) – The Bindura Regional Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Luckmore Mazambani, 38, of Chakondora Village, Chief Madziwa, to 111 years in prison for a series of horrifying crimes that involved terrorizing women in the Mt Darwin and Madziwa areas of Mashonaland Central province, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has said.

The NPAZ said between January and December 2023, Mazambani embarked on a campaign of violence specifically targeting women who lived alone.

He would break into their homes, often under the cover of darkness, armed with weapons such as machetes and axe-handles.

Once inside, he would subject his victims to a double horror of robbery and repeated brutal rapes. He stole cash, cellphones, groceries and other valuables and sexually assaulted his victims with extreme violence.

Mazambani was convicted of six counts of rape and three of robbery. He was sentenced to 15 years on each rape count and 12 years on each count of robbery, resulting in the lengthy sentence.

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old man from Maphisa in Matebeleland South was sentenced to 15 years by the Gwanda Magistrates’ Court for the rape of his 12-year-old sister.

The court heard that last December, the rapist brother and complainant were sleeping in the same room when he woke her up and demanded she took off her clothes. She refused, after which he forcefully stripped her and raped her once.

He repeated the rape in January. The matter was revealed when the complainant told a neighbour, who then informed members of the local neighbourhood watch.

They set up an ambush and found the man naked in bed with his sister. A police report was filed, leading to the rapist’s arrest.

In a separate but related case, a 34-year-old pastor of the Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe was sentenced to 30 months in prison for incest.

The court heard that between 2022 and 2024, the pastor repeatedly had sexual relations with his stepdaughter, who is now 18-years old.

The illicit affair began in 2022 when the victim’s mother left her in the pastor’s custody. They first had sexual relations in his bedroom while they were watching videos.

The abuse continued over the years, leading to a pregnancy in 2023, which he later arranged to be terminated. A tip-off led to investigations and the pastor’s arrest.

New Ziana