A 53-year-old landlord from Bulawayo, Esau Sibanda, has been sentenced to community service after being convicted of kidnapping his 36-year-old female tenant, Mrs. Estel Mwembe, when she rejected his advances.
The Incident
The incident occurred on February 5, 2025, when Sibanda confronted Mrs. Mwembe at her residence and demanded sexual favours. When she firmly refused, he became enraged and insisted she pay her outstanding rent for the previous month.
Fearing for her safety, Mrs. Mwembe retreated to her room, but Sibanda locked the door from the outside, trapping her inside for over 12 hours.
She remained confined in her home until 11 am the next day, when concerned neighbours noticed her absence and raised the alarm, leading to her rescue. Sibanda was later arrested.
Court Ruling
During the court proceedings, Sibanda pleaded guilty to kidnapping and illegal possession of drugs.
Western Commonage magistrate, Ms. Skhetile Moyo, sentenced him to 16 months in prison, but:
- 4 months were suspended for five years, provided he does not commit a similar offence.
- The remaining 12 months were also suspended, on the condition that he completes 560 hours of community service at Njube Police Station.
Prosecution’s Argument
The prosecutor condemned Sibanda’s actions, stating that he had abused his authority as a landlord to intimidate and coerce his tenant.
“Such behaviour not only violated the tenant’s rights but also undermined the trust that should exist between landlords and tenants,” the prosecutor argued.
The court ruled that the community service sentence would serve as rehabilitation for Sibanda while ensuring he contributes positively to society.
