News / National
Mumba confesses love for 14-year-old 'child abductor''
23 Feb 2026 at 17:37hrs |
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A 36-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl.
Godwell Mumba appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Themba Chimiso on Monday, where he admitted to the offence and claimed he had been in love with the teenager. He told the court that he had initially been in a relationship with the girl's older sister before later becoming involved with the younger sibling.
In his defence, Mumba said he had assumed the girl was older because she told him she was a mother of one child. He said this led him to believe she was of age.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Chimiso said Mumba had taken advantage of the minor and breached a position of trust. The court heard that the accused had previously been involved with the complainant's sister, placing him in a position where he was expected to protect, not exploit, the child.
"It is the duty of the court to protect the girl child from sexual predators like you," the magistrate said while imposing a three-year custodial sentence. He added that the offence had been planned and carried out over a prolonged period and that the emotional impact on the victim would be lasting.
In mitigation, Mumba told the court that he is married with a nine-year-old child and is the sole breadwinner for his family. He said he works as a kombi driver and pleaded for leniency.
In aggravation, prosecutor Samuel Mpofu argued that the significant age difference and the prolonged nature of the sexual relationship warranted a custodial sentence. He said the accused had engaged in sexual acts with the minor on several occasions from January until last week.
The victim cannot be named for legal and ethical reasons. Detectives later arrested Mumba after the teenager blew his cover.
Godwell Mumba appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Themba Chimiso on Monday, where he admitted to the offence and claimed he had been in love with the teenager. He told the court that he had initially been in a relationship with the girl's older sister before later becoming involved with the younger sibling.
In his defence, Mumba said he had assumed the girl was older because she told him she was a mother of one child. He said this led him to believe she was of age.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Chimiso said Mumba had taken advantage of the minor and breached a position of trust. The court heard that the accused had previously been involved with the complainant's sister, placing him in a position where he was expected to protect, not exploit, the child.
"It is the duty of the court to protect the girl child from sexual predators like you," the magistrate said while imposing a three-year custodial sentence. He added that the offence had been planned and carried out over a prolonged period and that the emotional impact on the victim would be lasting.
In mitigation, Mumba told the court that he is married with a nine-year-old child and is the sole breadwinner for his family. He said he works as a kombi driver and pleaded for leniency.
In aggravation, prosecutor Samuel Mpofu argued that the significant age difference and the prolonged nature of the sexual relationship warranted a custodial sentence. He said the accused had engaged in sexual acts with the minor on several occasions from January until last week.
The victim cannot be named for legal and ethical reasons. Detectives later arrested Mumba after the teenager blew his cover.
Source - The Chronicle
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