MAN MANAGES THREE SISTERS newsdzeZimbabweNewsdzeZimbabwe

In a traumatic rape case, a man from Bikita is said to have assaulted three sisters one after the other and broken the virginity of the youngest, 16-year-old sister.

The three plaintiffs, aged 16, 28 and 30, were allegedly ordered to strip naked. Between 5pm and 10pm, they were held hostage while they were raped by Terrible Mukanga (26), who was armed with a knife. Mukanga humiliated his victims by allegedly describing their private body parts and telling the 30-year-old that hers were not tight enough to satisfy him.

Mukanga is said to have first raped the 16-year-old. He forced her to bend down, but he stopped and left her alone when she started screaming. He then went to the 30-year-old and raped her, but complained that she was not tight enough and asked her how many children she had given birth to.

He went back to the youngest girl and raped her. Then he went to the 28-year-old sister who showed her a sanitary pad, but he ignored her condition and raped her.

It is alleged that Mukanga raped the 28-year-old sister while she bent over and held her 16-year-old sister’s shoulders. He is said to have instructed the minor to take notes while he raped the older sister.

After raping the three complainants, Mukanga allegedly raped the eldest sister a second time, which lasted the longest before he released the complainants at around 10pm so they could go home.

Zimbabwe is a patriarchal society where abuse of women is taken lightly in many communities. A family in Gutu is currently demanding a review of two cases in which two accused were acquitted of charges of raping minors in grades 1 and 7. The minor in grade 7 was infected with an STI.

The family is convinced that the cases were swept under the carpet.

Mukanga from Zindove village and his alleged accomplice Thomas Hungwe (27) from Mayemu village, both under the command of Chief Mabika in Bikita, are in custody after appearing before Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu last Thursday on charges of three counts of rape.

It is alleged that on April 3, 2024, at about 5pm, the three women were on their way home from Mukanga Business Centre to Mugarare Village. The accused, who were also at the Business Centre, decided to follow them on a motorcycle driven by Hungwe.

Mukanga blocked the three’s path, threatened them with a knife, attacked them and ordered them to walk towards Garari Hill. Hungwe allegedly remained on the motorcycle.

The three were forced to sit down and then Mukanga began to rape the sisters. Mukanga allegedly attacked the eldest sister because her private parts were not toned.

During the trial, it emerged that Mukanga had raped the three while Hungwe was riding the motorcycle.

Ronald Kwangwari was prosecuted. Masvingo Spiegel