Kwidini Jailed For Rape, US$60 Robbery

Gweru — A 32-year-old man from Gweru has been sentenced to an effective 18 years in prison for raping a 24-year-old woman and robbing her of US$60 in a roadside attack near Regina Mundi High School.

The self-styled prophet from the white-garment Apostolic church, Prince Kwidini, was convicted of rape as defined in Section 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] and robbery as defined in Section 126 of the same Act following a fully contested trial before Gweru Regional Magistrate, Christopher Maturure.

He was sentenced to 18 years for rape and three years for robbery.

The court heard that on September 10, 2026, at around 9am, the complainant was walking along a dusty road on her way to Gweru central business district when she encountered Kwidini near Sheasham Stands, close to Regina Mundi High School.

The State alleged that Kwidini approached the woman while carrying a stick, usually associated with the white-garment Apostolic sect, greeted her and introduced himself as Tafadzwa before asking for her contact details.

When she refused, he allegedly grabbed her by the collar, punched her several times and struck her on the head with the stick.

He allegedly dragged her to the roadside, ordered her to lie down and raped her.

The State further alleged that after the rape, Kwidini took the complainant's handbag, searched it and stole US$60 before fleeing.

The complainant was later assisted by a motorist, Knowledge Mhloro, whom she told about the attack.

Mhloro accompanied her to Gweru Central Police Station, where she reported the matter.

She was subsequently medically examined at Gweru Provincial Hospital, with the medical report forming part of the State's evidence.

Kwidini denied and contested the charges throughout the trial.

During sentencing submissions, the State Prosecutor told the court that the impact of the offences extended beyond the complainant because the alleged attack had undermined the safety of people who regularly use the road.

“Your Worship, the accused has made the community insecure and unsafe because that is the road they use every day to the main road to get lifts to go to their workplaces and for children as well to go to school,” the Prosecutor said.

She added that the attack had affected the wider community's sense of security.

“He did not commit the offence against the complainant only but has committed the offence against the whole community because the whole community no longer feel safe to use that road,” she said.

The prosecution urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offences and their wider impact when determining the appropriate sentence.

Kwidini's sentencing also drew considerable attention in court, with his congregants filling the courtroom in solidarity with him.

He was described by those familiar with him as a prominent white-garment church prophet.

Kwidini is also reportedly a younger brother to Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Timios Kwidini, who is Chiwundura Zanu PF Member of Parliament.

In passing sentence, Magistrate Maturure found that the State had proven the essential elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Kwidini on both counts.