Bogus cop repeatedly rapes of maid in Bindura

A man impersonating a police officer, Patrick Vashco (25) from Gereendale, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for raping a maid three times without protection.

Vashco appeared before Bindura regional magistrate Elisha Singano, who handed down the sentence following the disturbing attack.

Prosecutor Edward Katsvairo told the court that on April 10, the complainant was sent by her employer to collect a parcel at the Glendale terminus. She was given the employer's mobile phone to facilitate communication during the errand.

However, the maid lost the phone while at the rank and started crying in distress. Vashco, posing as a police officer, approached her and offered to take her to a police station to record her statement, to which she agreed.

Instead, on their way, Vashco dragged the maid into a nearby bush where he raped her once without using protection. He further assaulted and threatened to kill her before forcefully marching her to another bush along the Shamva-Harare highway, where he raped her twice more.

After the assaults, Vashco took the victim to a bar for a beer. The complainant seized the opportunity presented by his drunkenness to alert other patrons, which led to his arrest.

The court's decision sends a strong message against the abuse of authority and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, affirming that such crimes will be met with the harshest penalties.