Man jailed for raping mentally ill girl

A 35-year-old barber from Victoria Falls has been sentenced to an effective 40 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 13-year-old mentally ill girl.

Nidson Kamhunga was found guilty of rape by Hwange regional magistrate, Mr Shepherd Mnjanja, following harrowing testimony that revealed how he lured the child to his home under false pretenses before assaulting her.

Prosecutor Ms Jamesina Erica Makanza told the court that the complainant first encountered Kamhunga when she visited his barber shop for a haircut. On October 1, 2025, he met her again at Mkhosana Shopping Centre and accompanied her home, promising gifts including a smartwatch and money if she visited him daily.

The girl subsequently began visiting Kamhunga whenever she was sent to the shops by her mother. On October 7, while returning from school, she asked him for the promised items. Kamhunga then lured her to his house, claiming he would give her the gifts.

Once inside, he locked the door, tied her hands with a rope, gagged her with a cloth, and raped her. After the assault, he threatened to kill her relatives if she disclosed the incident, leaving the victim too terrified to speak out.

The abuse only came to light a month later when the complainant's sister saw a video circulating on social media linking Kamhunga to child abuse. When questioned, the girl admitted knowing him but initially withheld details of the assault. She later confided in a tenant, who helped her report the matter to police, leading to Kamhunga's arrest.
Sentencing

In delivering judgment, Magistrate Mnjanja emphasized the gravity of the offence and the vulnerability of the victim, noting that Kamhunga had abused his position of trust and preyed on a child with mental health challenges. The court imposed a 40-year custodial sentence, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to protecting minors from sexual predators.