By Sharon Chikowore
CHINHOYI — Seven men from Kanyaga, Makonde, were sentenced to a combined 161 years in prison after being convicted on three counts of armed robbery and rape.
The convicts—Clever Gavin (42), Farai Mamberi (46), Tinashe Madzvanya (44), Comfort Mapurisa (37), Brian Big Sibanda (44), Johnson Sibanda (33), and Fortune Taruvinga (33)—were each sentenced by Magistrate Solomon Jenya to 25 years in prison, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour, resulting in an effective sentence of 23 years each.
Prosecutor Masciline Mudzongo told the court that on 8 February 2025, around 2 a.m., the seven men went to Douglas Mutunha’s homestead in Chemapere A Village, Kanyaga. They opened his kraal, drove the cattle into Mutunha’s maize field, and hid nearby, waiting for him to come out.
Upon hearing noises outside, Mutunha went to remove the cattle from his field. At that moment, the gang ambushed him, struck his head and chest with a stone fired from a catapult, and he managed to escape, fleeing into the nearby bush for safety.
On the first count, the gang stole a motorcycle parked outside the house. On the second count, they entered the unlocked bedroom, found Mutunha’s wife, threatened her, and demanded cash. She handed over US$6,000 and two cell phones.
For the third count, while still in the house, Mamberi assaulted Mutunha’s wife, tore her clothes, and raped her without protection as his accomplices stood guard. Four of the accused were later arrested.
The total value of stolen property was US$7,290, none of which was recovered.
