A 33-year-old vendor, Mavis Sibanda, has been found guilty of assault after a disturbing incident in which she forcibly drew blood from a young girl in an attempt to test her HIV status.
The verdict was handed down by the Gokwe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed the conviction, detailing that the assault took place on 26 May at approximately 10 AM at Sai Mart Supermarket, formerly known as Choppies, at Gokwe Centre. The NPA said:
The offender called the victim over to her market stall and then requested the victim’s right forefinger, grabbed it, inserted a needle and drew a blood sample which she placed on an HIV testing kit.
After the incident, the victim was left crying and she encountered two men who asked her why she was crying.
Upon explaining what had taken place, the two men escorted the victim to her place of residence where they told the victim’s father what had transpired.
A police report led to Sibanda’s arrest. She was convicted and sentenced to 24 months in prison.
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