Chinhoyi magistrate Mr Amos Mbobo sentenced three artisanal miners who are known as the “Tobva Tadii Paya” gang to seven years in jail each, for rape. 
However, a 16-year-old who was among the group will spend three years at Kadoma Probation Centre. Mbobo had initially sentenced the gang; Romeo Chirara (18), Admire Chirongoma (18) and Thabani Gaza (20), to 10 years in jail, but suspended three years. The four pleaded with Mr Mbobo saying they wanted to go back to school. Mbobo said he reduced the sentence after considering they were young and lacked family guidance.
On July 4 last year, the four entered rooms housing prostitutes at Mugwanya Compound in Battlefields armed with machetes, knives and empty beer bottles. They ordered one of the prostitutes to hide behind a curtain before they gang-raped the women while using protection. The gang also stole four cell-phones before fleeing. The matter was reported to the police the next morning leading to the arrest of the four.
More: Herald
