Phumulani Masango, a 32-year-old from Nineva village in Mbembesi, Matabeleland North, has been sentenced to an effective three-year prison term for forcing three teenagers to masturbate with condoms.
He was found guilty of kidnapping, theft, criminal insult, and fraud.
Masango, who pleaded not guilty, received a four-year sentence for kidnapping, with two years suspended for good behavior.
He was sentenced to one year for criminal insult and fined US$300 for theft or an additional 30 days in prison, along with six months for fraud, running concurrently.
The court heard that on March 18, 2024, Masango approached two boys returning from school, posing as a police officer.
He slapped them, searched their bags, and forced them into his vehicle, claiming he was taking them to the police station but instead took them to his home.
There, he made them wear condoms and masturbate, demanding they repeat the act until they ejaculated. They were released the next morning.
On March 29, Masango targeted another victim in a similar manner. The three boys reported the incidents to the police, which led to an investigation.
Earlier, Masango had also posed as a lawyer to defraud a man of US$250, promising legal representation for his son.
-Bulawayo24
