Man (38) Jailed 18 Years for Raping Granny (62) Despite Claiming He Was a Virgin

...Gweru Regional Court dismantles a 38-year-old’s defense following a violent midnight break-in

Gweru, Zimbabwe — A 38-year-old Mvuma man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping his 62-year-old neighbour after breaking into her bedroom and threatening to sexually assault either the elderly woman or her daughter.

​The accused, Luckson Pride Shuro, was sentenced by Gweru Regional Magistrate Archie Wochiunga for the rape.

The incident occurred at the complainant’s home in Chiodza, Mvuma, on October 12, 2026.

The State had sought a 20-year prison term, arguing that the offence was committed under several aggravating circumstances, including the victim’s age, the invasion of her home, the failure to use protection, putting the victim at high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and the gross abuse of the trust expected between neighbours.

​In his defence, Shuro denied the charges, claiming that he was a virgin who did not know how to have sexual intercourse.

He further argued that on the night in question, he was at his own home sleeping alongside his sick father, while suffering from a headache, and insisted that he never stepped outside the house.

​However, the State outlines that when the complainant was preparing to sleep with her daughter in the kitchen at around 8pm, Shuro arrived and began shaking their locked door.

Shuro demanded to have sexual intercourse with the complainant’s daughter, threatening to force himself on either the young woman or her mother if they refused.

When the complainant challenged his behaviour, advising him to seek compensation through proper channels if her daughter had wronged him, Shuro dismissed her objections and continued threatening both women before striking the door with an unidentified object and broke it open.

After forcing his way inside, Shuro grabbed the elderly woman by the neck and dragged her outside.

The court heard that he overpowered her, choked her and struck her on the head with a piece of wood while demanding that she open her legs.

He then raped her. The daughter managed to escape during the chaos.

Following the assault, Shuro fled, leaving the complainant injured. Fearing to return inside the house, the elderly woman, who was wearing only a skirt, sought assistance at a nearby homestead.

She recounted the ordeal to the neighbour and her two children, who subsequently escorted her back home.

​Upon returning, they discovered a blanket near the gate, which Shuro had allegedly used to conceal his footprints.

The court heard that the complainant sustained severe head injuries and visible bruises on her neck.

Accompanied by her husband and daughter, she formally reported the incident to ZRP Mvuma on October 13 and was referred to Mvuma Hospital for urgent medical treatment.