On March 10,Zvikomborero Maria Makedenge, a 33-year-old USA based Zimbabwean woman was acquitted of charges involving the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy.
Makedenge was accused of following a 16-year-old boy to his room in Glen View, Harare, on August 2, 2025, and engaging in non-consensual intercourse. The State initially alleged she promised to take the minor to the United States, where she works, in exchange for his silence.
She first appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court in late 2025. During the trial, she was represented by lawyer Lennon Rwizi. Makedenge reportedly maintained her innocence, at one point claiming in a video that she was being “wrongly detained” and that the situation had been misconstrued.
She was granted US$100 bail following her initial arrest and arraignment. While out on bail, her United States visa was reportedly put on hold, and she remained in Zimbabwe for the duration of the legal proceedings.
Zvikomborero Maria Makedenge was acquitted because the magistrate found the state’s case lacked sufficient evidence to prove the allegations of non-consensual sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt. In a self-recorded video, Makedenge claimed the incident was “purely an accident” and “not intentional,” asserting she was only trying to help the boy—her student—with mathematics.
The defense pointed to a leaked video of the encounter, arguing it showed the minor was “physically responsive” and “active,” which supported her claim that no force or coercion was used. Makedenge insisted that the boy had actually made “aggressive advances” toward her and that she was the one being “wrongly detained”
Zviko was dating a tenant at the boy’s home.
