SERIAL rapist-cum-robber Thomas Chirembwe (30) who was convicted of 21 counts of rape and robbery — in which at least 13 women fell prey to his reign of terror — has been thrown behind bars for an effective 230 years.
PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI,SENIOR REPORTER
Chirembwe, who terrorised Harare areas of Cranborne, Hatfield and Queensdale, was sentenced to a total 290 years, but the court set aside 60 years of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence, regional magistrate Simon Rogers Kachambwa described the behaviour of Chirembwe as “worse than that of a wild beast” because he committed the callous crimes for nothing but fun.
He was initially facing 30 counts of rape and unlawful entry, but was not tried on nine of the counts after witnesses failed to turn up in court to testify during the trial.
The magistrate said: “In aggravation, the offences that the accused committed are all serious, namely unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances.
He used weapons such as knives, an iron bar and spanner to threaten his victims.
“In his criminal acts, he also raped the women and stole cash and other valuables. There is no doubt that he had turned crime into a profession, earning him a living. I agree with the State that rape is the worst form of invasion of privacy. “A long custodial sentence will meet the justice of the case. His behaviour was worse than that of a wild beast, which gives respect to its victim because it kills for food, but the accused was doing it for fun,” he said. Using case law, prosecutor Michael Reza had on Monday suggested that the court should slap the accused with no less than 90 years in prison.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He told the court during trial that Chirembwe, whom he described as “a one-man urban terrorist”, broke into people’s homes and raped 13 women between September 18, 2011 and November 6, 2012.
The court also heard that during his terror campaign, the accused person used an iron bar, a knife, spanners and “the manhood in his trousers” to commit the offences.
“The crimes were pre-planned,” Reza said in aggravation. “He was callous because rape is the worst form of invasion of privacy and robbery is a very traumatic experience.”
Chirembwe stole valuables worth thousands of dollars and a total of $1 500 cash after raping the women without using protection.
One of his targeted victims survived the abuse after she went down on her knees and prayed, forcing Chirembwe to spare her.
Another victim survived after telling him she was HIV positive, while the other said she was on her monthly period.
The court heard that on September 1, 2012 at around 3am, Chirembwe pounced on a Queensdale woman and raped her three times before stealing household property and cash.
On September 18, 2012 at around 4am, a 31-year-old woman was sleeping in her bedroom when she heard some noise coming from outside. She saw Chirembwe walking into her house armed with a knife.
Chirembwe switched off the lights and demanded money from her and she gave him $30. The convict then raped her once.
