Gweru police officer jailed for sexually abusing minor
By Dumisani Ndlovu
A Gweru Central Police officer, Michael Jackson, 27, has been sentenced to five years in prison for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl.
The conviction was handed down by the Gweru Regional Magistrate Christopher Maturure on February 19, 2025.
Initially charged with rape, the charge was reduced to a lesser offense after examining the circumstances surrounding the case.
Jackson will serve an effective three years in prison, with two years suspended on the condition of good behavior.
The prosecution, which changed hands between Public Prosecutors Tadenyika Talent and Dube Thando, presented a watertight case. Magistrate Maturure commended the state for its diligence and expertise in handling the matter.
According to Zimbabwean law, consensual intercourse with a girl between 12 and 16 years is considered an offense under section 70(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The case highlights concerns about the safety and protection of minors in the community, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and legal action against such offenses.
The case came to light when the minor testified that Jackson had approached her, taken her to a restaurant, and eventually had sexual intercourse with her.
The court also heard that Jackson had proposed a romantic relationship to the girl in 2023, which she accepted, and that she had engaged in sexual intercourse with him multiple times.
According to Zimbabwean law, consensual intercourse with a girl between 12 and 16 years is considered an offense under section 70(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The case took a dark turn when the complainant testified that Jackson had wooed her with a deceitful charm, inviting her to accompany him to Milan Family Restaurant. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Jackson gained her trust, and she agreed to go with him. However, his true intentions soon came to light.
The court heard that after she got into his vehicle, he lured her to sit in the front seat, where he began to weave a web of deceit.
At the restaurant, he bought her a burger and a drink, but his kindness was just a ruse. He soon turned his attention to fondling her, and ultimately, he crossed the line, having sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old girl.
A report was subsequently filed with the police, and the wheels of justice began to turn.
In a separate incident, the prosecutor recounted that on October 29, 2022, at around 2:00 AM, the complainant had been left out in the cold, literally. She had knocked on her home but received no response. With nowhere else to turn, she returned to Jackson, expressing her frustration that her brother had refused to open the door for her.
As the investigation dug deeper, it was revealed that Jackson had proposed a romantic relationship to the young girl in 2023, which she had naively accepted.
Over time, the complainant’s mother had grown suspicious of her daughter’s behavior and questioned her about her interactions with boys. When confronted, the minor finally spilled the beans, disclosing that she had engaged in sexual intercourse with Jackson multiple times.
A medical examination confirmed that the complainant had been deflowered, leaving her family and community reeling in shock.
This case raises serious concerns about the safety and protection of minors in the community, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and legal action against such offenses.
The sentence handed down to Jackson serves as a warning to those who would prey on the vulnerable, emphasizing that justice will be served, no matter how long it takes.
