Heartless monster caged 50 years

A 36-year-old man who terrorised Harare's affluent suburbs with a series of burglaries, robberies, and sexual assaults has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Issa Siyabu was convicted on 25 counts of unlawful entry, theft, robbery, and rape following a crime spree in Borrowdale and Mt Pleasant between November 2021 and January 2024.

During his reign of terror, Siyabu broke into multiple homes, stealing laptops, mobile phones, cash, and personal documents. Some of his attacks were particularly brutal. In one incident, he raped a woman after forcibly undressing her and stole property valued at US$750. In another, he held a victim at knifepoint to extort US$700.

Forensic evidence eventually linked Siyabu to one of the crime scenes, and he cooperated with police to demonstrate how he committed the offences, leading investigators to several targeted homes.

The court found him guilty on all counts and handed down a 100-year sentence, with 50 years suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective 50-year prison term.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) commended the investigative team for their work and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on violent crime.

"This sentence sends a clear message that violent offenders, particularly those who commit sexual and home invasion crimes, will face the full wrath of the law," the NPAZ said.