Rapist pledges to become a pastor in exchange for release

A BEATRICE man who masqueraded as a police officer before raping a woman several times pleaded with a magistrate to release him, saying he would become a pastor.

But Chitungwiza regional magistrate Mr Never Katiyo sentenced Runwell Pabwaungana (29) to an effective eight years for the crime.

He advised him to instead preach to other inmates since prison was like "Sodom and Gomorrah".
Mr Katiyo had sentenced Pabwaungana to 10 years before suspending two years for good behaviour.

Pabwaungana threatened the woman who was collecting firewood with arrest claiming that he was a police officer before raping her several times.

He was working as a general hand at Eddenbank Farm when he committed the offence before relocating to another farm.

Pabwaungana claimed before the court that he was in love with the 46-year-old woman.
He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Mr Katiyo, but was convicted after a full trial due to overwhelming evidence against him.

Pabwaungana told the court that the pain he suffered while in custody had reformed him, making him a better person.

He promised to preach the word of God to would be offenders and implored Mr Katiyo to release him on that basis.