Chipinge Men Convicted After Groping Teen Girl’s Breasts During Night Attack
CHIPINGE – An 18-year-old girl’s evening walk turned into a terrifying ordeal when two men chased, tackled, and groped her near a tuckshop — a disturbing reminder that touching without consent is not teasing, it’s a criminal offence.
The assault happened on August 18, 2025, when the teenager passed by a tuckshop where the two men, aged 22 and 24, were loitering.
Instead of letting her pass peacefully, they began shouting vulgar insults and mocking her.
When she ignored them and continued walking, they ran after her, tripped her to the ground, and one pinned her down while the other groped her breasts.
The traumatised victim managed to escape and ran to a nearby homestead for help.
Police later arrested the suspects, who were charged and convicted of indecent assault at the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court.
Both men were sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Four months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining eight months were converted to 208 hours of community service.
In a statement quoted by B-Metro, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) condemned the attack and urged communities to take sexual offences seriously.
“The criminal justice system takes all s€xu@l offences seriously.
“Communities are warned to be on the lookout for s€xu@l predators,” the authority said.
The NPAZ stressed that unwanted touching, groping, or fondling — often dismissed as jokes or flirtation in public spaces like tuckshops and bars is legally defined as indecent assault and carries jail time.
“What some call ‘play’ leaves victims scarred for life,” the statement added.
Authorities urged the public to speak out, report offenders, and support survivors of sexual violence.
They reiterated that no one — regardless of gender should ever be touched, grabbed, or fondled without clear and informed consent.
