HARARE - A Zimbabwe Republic Police constable has been jailed for 15 years for rape.
Harare magistrate Sandra Mpindu sentenced Kudakwashe Sakala, 23, to 18 years in jail before suspending three years on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence, Mpindu said Sakala’s offence was aggravated by the fact that he was a police officer who is expected to uphold and enforce the law.
“Although he is a first (time) offender, he started his criminal career at the deepest end,” the magistrate said.
“What’s disturbing is that he is a police officer who is under obligation to uphold and enforce the law.
“The question at the end of the day is: who should police the police?”
She said rapists must be removed from society.
“Rape is an offence which really trashes womanhood and perpetrators of this offence must receive a heavy penalty,” the magistrate said.
Prosecutor Ressie Nyamombe proved that on December 13 last year, Sakala who was stationed at Marlborough Police Station, visited the victim, 20, at her house to confront her about rumours she had spread about him.
Sakala told the woman that she was under arrest. He asked her to be intimate with him if she was to be forgiven but she flatly refused.
The two proceeded to Mago Street and on their way back, Sakala told the woman that he would have sexual intercourse with her that night.
They later proceeded to the residence of Sakala’s friend in Mufakose where the cop forced himself on the woman.
After the act, the woman dropped at Samuriwo Shopping Centre and Sakala proceeded with the commuter omnibus.
The woman later revealed the matter to her boyfriend and sister who advised her to report the matter to the police.