By Paul Pindani

A 19 year Mutorashanga teenager was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

Tawanda Muza, of 193 Tafara 1, in Mutorashanga, was hauled before Chinhoyi Regional Magistrate, Ignatius Mugova, charged with two counts of Attempted Murder and Rape.

The victim is a 33-year-old woman who resides in Mutorashanga.

Mugova sentenced him to 6 years in jail for attempted murder while 15 years was for rape.

However, Mugova suspended 6 years on account of good behaviour.

Muza will serve an effective 15 years in jail.

Prosecutor Nyasha Sibesha told the court that on October 22 2022, and at around 3am, Muza and the complainant were attending a funeral at Chapuma compound in Mutorashanga. Before 4am, the two hatched a plan to vacate the funeral and go back to their respective homes to rest. The two were accompanied by one identified as Mary who lives in the same area.  The three walked up to Taka business centre where they  separated with Mary, who was taking the opposite way.

The court heard, upon reaching the Mutorashanga road, Muza, who was walking behind the complainant and in a moment of total  madness, suddenly grabbed her by the neck from behind using both hands and choking her in the process.

Like a man possessed and without uttering any word, pressed his hands hard on the victim who fell down to the ground facing upwards.

Muza hit her twice on the face with a stick and she lost consciousness.

On the second count of rape, the court was told that Muza took advantage of her vulnerability and raped her while still unconscious.

She later gained consciousness after some time and realized that she had been stripped off her clothes.

The complainant later managed to walk back home, where transport was arranged to ferry her to the hospital, as she was bleeding seriously..

A report was made to the police and she was transferred from Mutorashanga to Banket hospital, where

Muza acted unlawfully.