JUSTICE SERVED: Kwekwe Barber Sentenced to 75 Years for Serial Child Abuse

KWEKWE — In a ruling that has sent shockwaves through the Midlands Province, a 31-year-old barber from Mbizo has been sentenced to an effective 75 years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of five children. Rangarirai Mutangi, who held positions of trust as a volunteer for the National AIDS Council and a youth modeling trainer, was convicted by the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. The charges included eight counts of rape and aggravated indecent assault committed against victims aged between 9 and 11.

The court heard a harrowing account of how Mutangi utilized his standing in the community and a cache of weapons to silence his victims between December 2024 and April 2026.

• Abuse of Authority: Mutangi used his roles as a volunteer and modeling trainer to gain access to children.

• Deception: In one instance, he lured an 11-year-old boy into his room under the pretext of playing mobile phone games.

• Violence and Threats: Police recovered a firearm from Mutangi's premises. Victims testified that he threatened to shoot them if they revealed the abuse.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) detailed a series of repeated assaults:

• A 9-year-old girl was assaulted twice in early 2026 after being threatened with a weapon.

• A 10-year-old boy suffered repeated abuse from December 2024 until April 2026.

• Another 10-year-old boy was indecently assaulted during modeling training in August 2025.

• Two 11-year-old boys were also targeted; one was repeatedly sodomized after being forcibly taken from his bed at night.

The reign of terror ended in April 2026 when rumors began circulating in the Mbizo suburb. Concerned parents and guardians questioned the children, leading to formal reports at ZRP Mbizo. Mutangi was arrested shortly thereafter, and key evidence, including the firearm used for intimidation, was recovered from his home.

Mutangi was sentenced to 15 years for each of the eight counts. While the court ordered some terms to run concurrently, the final effective sentence of 75 years ensures that the serial predator will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

Given Mutangi's role as a volunteer for a national organization, what steps should such institutions take to better vet individuals working with vulnerable children?

Kwekwe barber jailed 75 years rape