HARARE, Feb 20 (NewsDay Live) - A 37-YEAR-OLD inmate, who escaped from Hurungwe Prison and went on a robbery spree has been slapped with an effective 42-year jail term for robbery and rape.
Harare magistrate Solomon Jenya said Bessam Mahosi committed the offences in aggravating circumstances as highlighted throughout the trial.
Jenya further ruled that all rape and robbery cases were premeditated as Mahosi had a modus operandi and a hunting ground.
The magistrate further ruled that his victims were very young and their lives have been affected for life.
Appearing for the prosecution, Sherlynn Sadomba said on April 20, 2021 along a footpath between Crowborough Phase 2 and Kuwadzana 4 council paddocks, Mahosi threatened to stab a young woman with a knife before raping her.
Sadomba said Mahosi strangled the victim and pulled her braided hair, demanding to see what was inside her handbag before robbing her of US$80, ZWL$60 and a cellphone.
The court heard that Mahosi dropped the identity documents belonging to one Prosper Qokana from his pockets, which the complainant handed over to ZRP Kuwadzana when she reported the case.
An investigating officer with the Crime Prevention Unit established through an NMB Bank that a Zupco tap card that had also been dropped was linked to an Econet line in the name of another woman who had been raped and robbed by Mahosi.
- Prison escapee jailed 42 years for robbery, rape
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Investigations also revealed that the card had been used to make transactions in Norton through the victim’s cell number, leading to the arrest of a sex worker, who implicated Mahosi.
During a manhunt for Mahosi, the investigation officer discovered that the convict was once arrested on three counts of robbery under the name Kudzanai Gwaze .
The court heard that Mahosi was serving a sentence of robbery committed in Karoi before he escaped from prison.
A follow-up at Harare Central Prison led to Mahosi’s arrest.
