Harare, (New Ziana) – A 23-year-old man has been convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison—three of which were suspended for five years for the rape of a 26-year-old deaf woman.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the incident occurred on the night of October 19, 2024, at a shared residence in Nyanga, where both the offender and the victim lived, though they were not related.

According to court testimony, the man entered the woman’s room while she was asleep, removed her underwear, and raped her.

The offender is believed to have deliberately exploited the victim’s inability to hear or speak, believing she would not be able to report the crime.

However, the following morning, a concerned fellow resident noticed the victim in visible distress and crying.

Using sign language, the woman communicated the horrific events of the previous night. The neighbor immediately informed her husband, and the matter was swiftly reported to the police. The accused was arrested shortly thereafter.

The court, in its ruling, condemned the offender’s manipulation of the victim’s disability, calling it a “deplorable violation of trust and human dignity.”

The sentence—18 years with three years suspended for five years—reflects the gravity of the offense, while also serving as a stern warning to would-be offenders about the severe consequences of crimes against vulnerable members of society.

New Ziana