Courts applaud: Serial rapist sentenced to 85 years in prison

ZIMBABWE’S justice system received praise yesterday after Harare Regional Judge Clever Tsikwa sentenced a serial robber and rapist to 85 years in prison after finding him guilty of 11 counts of rape and robbery.

Tsikwa on Wednesday this week found 36-year-old Crispen Bonda of Rugare guilty of 11 counts of rape and robbery.

Bonda was initially charged with 30 counts of rape and robbery.

The state has withdrawn the remaining charges.

Bonda denied all allegations, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity because he was at home at the time the crime was committed.

However, Tsikwa was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, suspended if he behaves well. Two more years will run concurrently, while Bonda must serve a total of 75 years in the maximum security prison Chikurubi.

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Children’s rights lawyer Caleb Mtanwa welcomed the ruling, saying it was a recognition of children’s demands for long prison sentences for rapists.

“We have been calling on the courts for several years to impose long and deterrent sentences in cases of rape and other sexual abuse,” he said.

“The law already provides for a prison sentence of up to life imprisonment for rape and serious sexual assault. We therefore welcome the current sentence of 73 years.”

“We hope and pray that the higher courts, especially the High Court, will uphold such judgments in the cases of those who appeal and that any pardon or amnesty will not cover sexual offences.”

Child rights expert and human rights lawyer Opal Sibanda said the ruling was a significant legal response to this extremely serious crime.

“The seriousness of this crime cannot be overstated. The repeated sexual abuse of minors, particularly 13-year-olds, causes deep and lasting trauma to victims,” ​​she said.

“This case underscores the urgent need to make sexual abuse more punishable so that it both acts as a deterrent and reflects the seriousness of such crimes.”

Sibanda said children are among the most vulnerable in society and it is everyone’s collective responsibility to ensure their protection and wellbeing.

“The imposition of a long prison sentence in this case shows that the justice system recognises the grave harm inflicted on these young survivors and is determined to hold perpetrators to account.

“Such judgments are crucial not only to ensure justice for the victims, but also to send a clear message that sexual abuse, especially against minors, will not be tolerated.

“It is imperative that we continue to strengthen our legal frameworks and support systems to protect children and prevent such atrocities in the future.”

Meanwhile, Tsikwa stated in his ruling that Bonda was arrested by local residents when he asked for the address of one of his victims, adding that he never explained what he was doing at the youth’s residence.

He also said one of Bonda’s victims recognized Bonda by his clothing and facial features because she had been sexually abused three times.

Tsikwa said another victim recognised Bonda during a police lineup and told the court she remembered him because he was holding a flashlight.

Bonda raped several teenagers between December 2022 and the end of last year, while robbing some of his victims and threatening them with a knife before fleeing.