After the female tenant rejected him, the landlord locked her in her room.

 

After his female tenant rejected his advances, a 53-year-old landlord from Bulawayo locked her in her room and was sentenced to community service for kidnapping.

 

Mrs. Estel Mwembe, a 36-year-old tenant, was confronted by Esau Sibanda at her residence on February 5, 2025. Sibanda, who had been harbouring inappropriate intentions, demanded s3x favors from Mrs. Mwembe, and when she firmly refused, the situation escalated.

 

Sibanda was enraged by her rejection and demanded that Mrs. Mwembe pay the outstanding rent for the previous month. In fear of her safety, she went back to her room, but Sibanda locked the door from the outside, keeping her trapped inside. She couldn't seek help because she was confined in her home for more than 12 hours.

 

Concerned neighbors only noticed her absence the next morning at around 11 am and raised the alarm. Their prompt response resulted in her rescue, and Sibanda was later detained.

 

Sibanda admitted to charges of illegal drug possession and kidnapping during the court proceedings. He was given 16 months in prison by the magistrate of Western Commonage, Ms. Skhetile Moyo. However, four months of the sentence were suspended for five years on the condition that he did not commit a similar offence during that period.

 

The prosecutor argued that Sibanda had abused his authority as a landlord to intimidate and coerce Mrs Mwembe. “Such behaviour not only violated the tenant’s rights but also undermined the trust that should exist between landlords and tenants,” the prosecutor stated.

 

The remaining 12 months of his sentence were also suspended, provided that he completed 560 hours of community service at Njube Police Station. According to the court's decision, this punishment will help the offender to recover and make a positive contribution to society.