Man Gets 42 Months for Seven-Hour Kidnap, Assault of Former Workmate

Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai has been sentenced to 42 months in prison for kidnapping and assaulting his former workmate in an attempt to obtain company information.

Rondozai was initially sentenced to 48 months, with six months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.

Harare Provincial Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai found overwhelming evidence linking Rondozai to the offence and said the kidnapping was aggravated by the assault of the complainant, who was held against his will for about seven hours.

The State alleged that Rondozai kidnapped David Matanda from his Chitungwiza home in May last year.

According to the prosecution, Rondozai wanted to intimidate Matanda into withholding information relating to alleged fraudulent activities at their former company.

Rondozai denied the allegations, arguing that the State had failed to provide the exact date of the alleged offence, making it difficult for him to raise an alibi.

In mitigation, he asked the court for a lighter sentence, saying he is the sole breadwinner for his family. He told the court that his wife is unemployed and that they have two children under the age of five.

Rondozai is also facing a separate fraud charge in which he is accused of defrauding Wellcash Debt Collectors of nearly US$11,000 in 2024.

The fraud case is still pending and is expected to resume on October 10.