A 53-year-old landlord from Bulawayo has been sentenced to community service for kidnapping after locking his female tenant in her room when she rejected his advances.
The incident took place on February 5, 2025, when Esau Sibanda approached his 36-year-old tenant, Mrs. Estel Mwembe, at her home. Sibanda, harboring inappropriate intentions, requested sexual favors from her, and when she firmly declined, tensions escalated.
Furious at her refusal, Sibanda demanded that Mrs. Mwembe pay her overdue rent. Fearing for her safety, she retreated to her room, but Sibanda locked the door from the outside, trapping her for over 12 hours without the ability to seek help.
The following morning, around 11 am, concerned neighbors noticed her absence and raised the alarm. Their prompt action led to her rescue, and Sibanda was subsequently arrested.
In court, Sibanda pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession of drugs and kidnapping. Western Commonage magistrate Ms. Skhetile Moyo sentenced him to 16 months in prison, though four months of that sentence were suspended for five years, contingent on him not committing a similar offense during that time.
The prosecutor pointed out that Sibanda had misused his authority as a landlord to intimidate and coerce Mrs. Mwembe. “This behavior not only violated the tenant’s rights but also eroded the trust that should exist between landlords and tenants,” the prosecutor stated.
The remaining 12 months of his sentence were also suspended, provided he completed 560 hours of community service at Njube Police Station. The court deemed this penalty as a way for him to rehabilitate and contribute positively to society.
