By Tendai Makaripe
KWEKWE, Zimbabwe — A Kwekwe barber jailed for sexually abusing five children will serve an effective 75 years in prison after a magistrates’ court convicted him on eight counts of rape and aggravated indecent assault, prosecutors said.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court sentenced Rangarirai Mutangi, 31, of Mbizo, after finding him guilty of abusing children aged between 9 and 11.
Mutangi worked as a barber and also served as a voluntary worker for the National AIDS Council, according to the NPAZ.
“The exploitation of children will not be tolerated,” the NPAZ said. “We commend the victims for their courage and the community for their vigilance in ensuring the offender was held accountable.”
Kwekwe barber jailed after eight-count conviction
Prosecutors said Mutangi abused the children between December 2024 and April 2026.
In one of the cases, the State argued that he lured a 9-year-old girl into his room between January and March 2026, threatened her with a weapon and sexually abused her.
He abused the same child again in April 2026.
The court also heard that Mutangi targeted boys aged 10 and 11.
Prosecutors said he used threats, a cellphone game and claims linked to modelling training to lure the children to his room.
In a separate case, Mutangi called a 10-year-old boy to his room in December 2024 and abused him.
The State argued that he continued abusing the child on different occasions between December 2024 and April 2026.
The NPAZ said Mutangi also lured an 11-year-old boy to his room in October 2025 and sexually assaulted him while threatening him with a firearm.
Community reports led police to the case
The NPAZ said the case came to light in April 2026 after rumours circulated in the community.
Parents and guardians then questioned the children, leading to reports at ZRP Mbizo.
Police later recovered a weapon and other evidence from Mutangi’s premises, according to prosecutors.
The court sentenced Mutangi to 15 years for each count.
Several terms will run concurrently, leaving him with an effective 75-year prison sentence.
