Kombi Driver Jailed Three Years For Bedding 14‑Year‑Old Girl Who Abducted A Child In Bulawayo

A 36‑year‑old man has been jailed for three years after being convicted of having sex with a 14‑year‑old girl.

The girl revealed the relationship to the police following her arrest for kidnapping a two‑year‑old child.

Godwell Mumba appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Themba Chimiso on Monday. In court, he claimed he was “in love” with the 14‑year‑old. In his defence, he said:

“At first, I was in love with the older sister, and when we separated, I fell in love with the younger sister.

“The girl told me that she was a mother of one child, and I assumed she was old enough. That is why I committed the offence.”

In passing sentence, the magistrate said Mumba had exploited the young girl and subjected her to sexual abuse. He added:

“Since you were in love with her sister, you were in a position of trust, and you were supposed to protect the child, but instead, you sexually violated her.

“It is the duty of the court to protect the girl child from sexual predators like you. You are, therefore, sentenced to three years in jail.

“You planned the offence, and it was carried out over a long period. The ordeal will haunt her. Faced with people like you, the girl is not safe.”

In mitigation, Mumba told the court he is married with a nine‑year‑old child, and that he is the sole breadwinner working as a kombi driver.

But prosecutor Samuel Mpofu highlighted the stark age gap between Mumba and the victim, noting it was more than double.

He also stressed that the sexual relationship had gone on for months, and that Mumba was in a position of trust since he was romantically involved with the girl’s sister.

Mpofu, therefore, urged the court to hand down a custodial sentence. He told the court that from January this year until last week, Mumba had engaged in consensual sexual activity with the 14‑year‑old, who cannot be named for ethical reasons.

Detectives from the Homicide Unit arrested Mumba after the girl revealed the illicit relationship during her own detention for kidnapping a two‑year‑old in Bulawayo’s city centre.

She told police she had taken Asanda Charisma Ndlovu from Meikles Market to convince Mumba that she had a child.

More: Chronicle