Maid Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexual Abuse of Minor
By A Correspondent | Harare, Zimbabwe — A Dzivarasekwa maid, Rutendo Banda (22), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing her landlord’s eight-year-old son. Banda was convicted on two counts of aggravated indecent assault following a full trial in which she pleaded not guilty.
Harare Magistrate delivered the sentence, noting that the offenses were committed under aggravated circumstances. Although Banda received two sentences, the court ruled that they would run concurrently. “The offense was committed in aggravated circumstances,” the magistrate stated. “This is a serious crime, particularly given that Banda assaulted a child. There is no provision for a sentence of less than five years for someone convicted of rape or aggravated indecent assault. It is also possible that similar offenses may have been committed against other children.”
The court was told that the incident occurred in March, around 6 p.m., when the young boy was playing outside the house. Banda reportedly called him into her bedroom, where she proceeded to assault him. The abuse only came to light months later, on August 19, when the boy revealed the incident while Banda was washing dishes in the kitchen.
According to the testimony presented, the boy was playing outside when he approached Banda and mentioned his intention to tell his mother about the March assault. Unbeknownst to Banda, the boy’s mother, who was in the bathroom at the time, overheard the conversation. Upon hearing the boy’s account, the mother called him into the house and asked him to repeat his story. She subsequently escorted him to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) station in Dzivarasekwa, where they filed a formal report. This led to Banda’s arrest and subsequent trial.
The magistrate’s remarks emphasized the gravity of the crime and underscored the court’s zero-tolerance stance toward offenses involving the sexual abuse of minors. The court further noted that the potential for psychological harm to the victim and the risk of repeat offenses necessitated a stringent sentence to serve as both punishment and deterrent.
The ruling also highlighted the importance of vigilance among parents and guardians in detecting and reporting abuse, particularly as the court alluded to the possibility that Banda’s actions might not have been isolated. The case has prompted calls for greater awareness and preventative measures to protect children from sexual abuse, as well as for community members to remain vigilant in reporting any suspected incidents to authorities.
With this conviction, the court has sent a clear message regarding the severity with which such crimes will be treated, reaffirming the commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of children in Zimbabwe. Banda will serve her sentence in a correctional facility, reflecting the judicial system’s dedication to ensuring justice for victims of abuse.