A disturbing case of family abuse has emerged in Lupane, where a 41-year-old man received a 20-year prison sentence for repeatedly sexually assaulting his 16-year-old sister-in-law, who has a mental impairment.

According to the Hwange Regional Magistrates’ Court, the abuse began when the man’s sister allegedly forced the girl into a bedroom where he was waiting and then locked the door. There, he stripped and raped the teenager, threatening her to keep silent whenever she tried to call for help.

This horrific pattern of abuse continued over several months, with the vulnerable girl suffering in silence. The truth only came to light in May 2025 after a vigilant community member noticed signs of mistreatment. Following this, the perpetrator and his sister reportedly beat the victim with a sjambok and stick to intimidate her into staying quiet about the assaults.

Prosecutors revealed that the girl had been living in the man’s home , a place that should have been safe but instead became a site of ongoing terror.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) stated that the offender abused the victim’s trust and exploited her vulnerability during the six months from November 2024 to May 2025. Police reports were filed with the Lupane station, and medical and psychiatric evaluations confirmed the victim’s condition and the abuse she endured.

The NPAZ praised the community member who stepped forward and called on the public to report any suspected cases of child abuse immediately.
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