Nightmare in Plumtree: 20 years for monstrous assault on grandmother
Village rallies after elderly woman attacked in her home
Silethemba Mlauzi
Plumtree-In a despicable act of violence that has shaken the Plumtree Community in Matebeleland South, two young men have been handed a heavy sentence of 20 years in prison for the horrendous sexual assault of a 76-year-old woman.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA) disclosed this shocking incident, shedding light on the heinous crime committed by the perpetrators.
The perpetrators, aged 21 and 23, invaded the victim’s homestead in the dead of night on 28 May, where she was peacefully sleeping alongside her young granddaughters, aged seven. With malicious intent, they forcefully entered her bedroom through a window, subjecting her to a terrifying ordeal of assault and throttling.
“The 23-year-old assaulted the grandchildren, contributing to the harrowing experience endured by the family that night,” the NPA revealed.
The brave granddaughters, awakened by the commotion caused by their grandmother’s struggle, managed to flee to a neighbor’s house for safety. However, the elderly woman was not as fortunate as she was mercilessly violated by the heartless men.
In a brazen display of cruelty, the 23-year-old left the scene after committing the initial atrocity, while his accomplice callously remained to further abuse the defenseless victim. It was only when the second perpetrator succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep that the traumatized woman seized an opportunity to escape, seeking refuge and aid from a neighbor.
Local villagers, upon being alerted to the horrifying incident, banded together and swiftly apprehended the 21-year-old, who was found still asleep in the victim’s bedroom. The community’s swift action led to the subsequent arrest of the 23-year-old assailant, ensuring that they faced justice for their reprehensible actions.
This appalling crime serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened vigilance and community involvement in combating such heinous acts of violence. The conviction and sentencing of the perpetrators provide a measure of closure for the victim and her family, while also underscoring the collective resolve to stand against such atrocities and seek justice for the vulnerable members of society.
