A suspended police officer and his niece were found guilty yesterday of trafficking three women to Oman, where they were exploited as sex slaves. Forward Mashonganyika and his niece, Tendai Muswe, were convicted by Harare regional magistrate Estere Chivasa following a full trial.
Muswe is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for a similar offense. Magistrate Chivasa stated in her ruling that the prosecution had successfully proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. She noted the credibility of the three women who testified against the defendants.
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The magistrate emphasized that besides facilitating the trafficking from Zimbabwe to Oman, there was evidence of deceit involved. She highlighted several undisputed facts, including the women’s stay at Mashonganyika’s residence and their travel to Oman. Despite their initial excitement about traveling to Dubai for work in hotels and restaurants, they were ultimately deceived and forced into slavery in Oman.
Magistrate Chivasa pointed out that the defendants did not dispute the women’s enslavement, assault, denial of basic needs, and eventual deportation back to Zimbabwe. While Mashonganyika and Muswe denied involvement in trafficking, the State presented evidence linking them to the crime, including financial transactions with individuals in Oman.
The magistrate concluded that the evidence, coupled with the testimony of witnesses and investigating officers, solidified the case against the defendants.
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