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A 53-year-old landlord from Bulawayo, Esau Sibanda, has been sentenced to neighborhood service after being convicted of kidnapping his 36-year-old feminine tenant, Mrs. Estel Mwembe, when she rejected his advances.
The Incident
The incident occurred on February 5, 2025, when Sibanda confronted Mrs. Mwembe at her residence and demanded sexual favours. When she firmly refused, he grew to become enraged and insisted she pay her excellent hire for the earlier month.
Fearing for her security, Mrs. Mwembe retreated to her room, however Sibanda locked the door from the surface, trapping her inside for over 12 hours.
She remained confined in her dwelling till 11 am the subsequent day, when involved neighbours seen her absence and raised the alarm, resulting in her rescue. Sibanda was later arrested.
Courtroom Ruling
Throughout the courtroom proceedings, Sibanda pleaded responsible to kidnapping and unlawful possession of medication.
Western Commonage Justice of the Peace, Ms. Skhetile Moyo, sentenced him to 16 months in jail, however:
4 months have been suspended for 5 years, offered he doesn’t commit an identical offence.
The remaining 12 months have been additionally suspended, on the situation that he completes 560 hours of neighborhood service at Njube Police Station.
Prosecution’s Argument
The prosecutor condemned Sibanda’s actions, stating that he had abused his authority as a landlord to intimidate and coerce his tenant.
“Such behaviour not solely violated the tenant’s rights but additionally undermined the belief that ought to exist between landlords and tenants,” the prosecutor argued.
The courtroom dominated that the neighborhood service sentence would function rehabilitation for Sibanda whereas making certain he contributes positively to society.
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