In a traumatic case of rape, a Bikita man allegedly forced himself on three sisters, one after the other, taking the virginity of the 16-year-old youngest.
The three complainants, aged between 16, 28 and 30, were allegedly ordered to strip naked and held hostage between 5pm and 10pm where they were raped by Terrible Mukanga (26), who was armed with a knife. Mukanga insulted his victims, allegedly describing their genitals and telling the 30-year-old that her penis was not tight enough to satisfy him.
Mukanga allegedly started raping the 16-year-old girl and made her bend down but stopped her and left her when she started screaming. He then went up to the 30-year-old and raped her, but complained that it was not tight enough and asked her how many children she had had.
He went back to the younger girl and raped her. He then went to the 28-year-old sister, who showed her the pad, but he ignored her condition and raped her.
Mukanga allegedly raped her 28-year-old sister while she was bending over and holding her 16-year-old brother’s shoulders. He allegedly ordered the minor to take notes while raping his elder sister.
After raping the three complainants, Mukanga allegedly raped his elder sister a second time, which continued for a longer period before he released the complainants to return home at around 10pm.
Zimbabwe is a patriarchal society where abuse of women is underestimated in many communities. A family in Gutu is currently demanding a review of two cases where two people accused of raping minors in grades one and seven were acquitted. The minor was in seventh grade and had a sexually transmitted disease.
The family is convinced that the issues have been swept under the rug.
Mukanga from Zinduv village and his alleged accomplice Thomas Hongwe (27) from Maimu village were remanded under Chief Mabika in Bikita after they appeared before regional magistrate Judith Zoyo last Thursday to face three charges of rape.
It is alleged that on April 3, 2024, at about 5pm, the three women were on their way home from Mukanga Business Center to Mugarari village. The accused who were also at the business center decided to follow them on a motorcycle driven by Hongwei.
Mukanga blocked the path of the three, threatened them with a knife, assaulted them and ordered them to walk towards Garari Hill. Hongwei allegedly stayed on the motorcycle.
The three were forced to sit down and Mukanga then raped the sisters. Mukanga allegedly assaulted the elder sister for not having a tight private part.
During the trial, it emerged that Mukanga raped the three while Hongwe was sitting on the bike.
Ronald Kwangware was put on trial. Wall mirrors
