Man Sentenced for Kidnapping and Attempted Rape of Three-Year-Old.

A 23-year-old man from Bulawayo has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping a three-year-old girl with the intention of committing a sexual assault for ritualistic purposes

Tawanda Maronze was convicted at the Western Commonage Magistrates Court following an alarming incident in which he abducted the young girl. The court heard that Maronze took the child to a secluded area approximately five kilometers from her home in Solusi, where he planned to carry out the assault.

The situation took a turn when the girl’s aunt, who was driving along Solusi Road, spotted Maronze carrying the child. Suspicious of the circumstances, she questioned him, but Maronze was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions. This prompted her to report the incident to the police, leading to his immediate arrest.

During questioning, Maronze revealed that he had been influenced by a traditional healer who advised him to kidnap and rape a child as part of a ritual to acquire quick wealth. He claimed that the healer suggested that by committing such an act, he could cleanse himself and achieve his financial goals.

The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of children and the influence of harmful beliefs in the community. Authorities are continuing to address these issues to ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals.