By Delight Guma
KAROI, Zimbabwe — A 57-year-old headmaster from Magunje, Hurungwe was on Thursday sentenced to three years in prison by a Karoi magistrate for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old pupil.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the abuse began in May 2024, when the school head approached the girl, asked for her phone number, and later promised “heaven on earth” if she agreed to be his wife.
The next day, he summoned her to his office, forced her into his vehicle, and had sexual intercourse with her at the back of his car.
The pair then had repeated encounters, especially on weekends, until April 2025, when the girl’s sister found a new cellphone and pills and alerted their mother.
The victim reported the police abuse, leading to the headmaster’s arrest and conviction.
“Sexual relations with a minor are a serious offence; communities are urged to be on the lookout at all times to safeguard minors from abusers,” the NPAZ said in a statement.
Under Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, sexual intercourse with a “young person” is a crime, with courts able to impose up to 10 years’ imprisonment depending on circumstances.
In 2016, the Constitutional Court outlawed child marriage, strengthening protections for girls, and in 2022, the court ruled that allowing sexual activity from age 16 was unconstitutional, effectively setting 18 as the minimum age of consent — a position later reflected in policy statements and subsequent law and policy updates.
Police typically channel child-sex cases through the Victim Friendly Unit, which coordinates with health workers and social services to reduce secondary trauma and support evidence collection for court.
Zimbabwe has also rolled out Victim-Friendly Courts to make proceedings less intimidating for children.
