Money ritual obsession lands Bulawayo man 4-year jail term

BULAWAYO – A 23-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to four years in prison for kidnapping a three-year-old girl with the intention of raping her for twisted money ritual purposes.

Tawanda Maronze appeared before the Western Commonage Magistrates’ Court facing kidnapping charges.

It is the State’s case that on October 20, 2024, the accused person kidnapped a 3-year-old girl and took her to a bushy area approximately 5 kilometers away from her home.

As the accused walked along Solusi Road, carrying the complainant, the complainant’s aunt passing by in her vehicle with friends, suddenly intercepted him.

Noticing the suspicious scene, she swiftly pulled over, confronted him and and subsequently handed him over to the police.

In his defense, the accused told the court that, “l regretfully admit that my intention was to rape the minor, believing the act would alleviate my financial difficulties as instructed by the traditional healer I had visited.”

Maronze received a 4-year prison term.