Shurugwi man acquitted of rape, fined US$200 for assault
By Dumisani Ndlovu — Silvester Mudadi (31) of Shurugwi was acquitted of rape at the close of the State’s case but was ordered to pay a US$200 fine on a second count arising from an alleged assault incident involving his sister-in-law. The case was heard before Gweru Regional Magistrate Archie Wochiunga.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
Gweru —A 31-year-old Shurugwi man, Silvester Mudadi, was acquitted of rape but convicted of the lesser charge of assault and fined US$200 by Gweru Regional Magistrate Archie Wochiunga following an incident involving his 21-year-old sister-in-law.
Mudadi, of Dzvarai Compound, faced two charges arising from an alleged incident on September 19, 2026, according to the State outline under ZRP Shurugwi CR 136/09/26.
The complainant alleged that an argument broke out at her residence over a family member before Mudadi allegedly assaulted and raped her.
On the first count, the State alleged that Mudadi pulled the complainant's braids, slapped her repeatedly and struck her once on the face with a machete.
He faced an assault charge under Section 89(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The second count was rape, as defined under Section 65(1), read together with Section 64(3), of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Mudadi tore the complainant's garments and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
The court acquitted Mudadi of rape but convicted him of assault, imposing a US$200 fine payable by October 30, 2026.
The matter was heard before Gweru Regional Magistrate Archie Wochiunga.
The separate verdicts highlight the importance of distinguishing between individual counts in criminal proceedings, as each charge must be determined on the evidence presented and the applicable legal requirements.
The case also comes against the backdrop of the work of the accused's lawyers, former magistrates Blessings Tsingano and Enest Muzembe, who now practise as advocates at Mandipa, Makwara and Chikukwa Legal Practitioners, handling criminal litigation across the Midlands province.
Their transition from the bench to legal practice has shifted their responsibilities from independently evaluating evidence and determining cases to developing legal strategies, scrutinising prosecution evidence and representing clients in adversarial proceedings.
