Rapist Sentenced to 15 Years for Brutal Attack
ZVISHAVANE – Zvishavane Regional Magistrate Sengster Tavengwa has sentenced Knowledge Jini (20) of Chief Masunda to 15 years in prison for the brutal rape of a 19-year-old Form 4 student at Zvishavane High School.
According to the state’s case, presented by prosecutor Moreblessing Chananda, the incident occurred on August 31, 2024, at around 1600 hours. The complainant was collecting firewood with her stepmother in the bush when Jini emerged, holding an axe. He grabbed the complainant, pointing the axe at her neck and force-marched her towards her stepmother who fled shouting for help.
The court heard that Jini forced the complainant to run and jog ahead of him, pushing her with the axe handle, while covering his face with a green t-shirt. He raped her once without her consent and then ordered her to dress and follow him. At another location, he forced the complainant to bend downwards, holding a stone and raped her again.
After the ordeal, the complainant informed her uncle, who was part of the search party. The police tracked Jini’s footprints to his home where they recovered the axe and clothes used in the crime. The complainant identified the accused person in an identification parade.
The accused person acted unlawfully.
