21/10/2022
- South Wale’s Police Reported
- Dennis Mandzikwa, from Oxford, befriended his victim online before travelling to Cardiff to meet up in April 2021 where he forced himself upon the victim more than once.
- https://www.south-wales.police.uk/news/south-wales/news/2022/hyd-oct/man-sentenced-to-22-years-for-multiple-sexual-offences
- What Actually Happened
- A man from Oxford raped a woman he had befriended on Facebook while she held her baby in her arms. The 52-year-old, of Spruce Gardens, had travelled to Cardiff to meet up with his victim.
- But when he arrived, Dennis Mandzikwa raped her twice as she attempted to protect her children. The woman says the memory of the attacks will “stay with her forever”.
- https://www.oxfordshirelive.co.uk/news/oxfordshire-news/oxford-man-raped-woman-met-7710062
The 52-year-old was charged with two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. He denied the charges but was found guilty following a trial and was sentenced at Newport Crown Court last Friday (14 October).
Mandzikwa was sentenced to 22 years. He was also made subject to a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order, and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
Detective Constable Jo Hall, officer in the case, said:
“The victim showed enormous strength and courage during the investigation, in order to ensure Mandzikwa was brought to justice.
“The sentence demonstrated how seriously we, and the courts, treat this type of sexual offending.”
Find out how South Wales Police supports victims of rape and sexual assault with the help of our partner organisations and charitable groups by visiting: Support for victims of rape and sexual assault | South Wales Police (south-wales.police.uk)
The surname Mandzikwa is of Shona origin, predominantly found in Zimbabwe, where it is the 1,000th most common surname. It is also present in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, England, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, and the Netherlands. This distribution reflects migration patterns and the global diaspora of African communities. The surname is derived from the Shona word “Muradzikwa,” meaning “one who is grateful.” This suggests that individuals bearing this surname may have ancestors who were known for their thankful and humble nature. The name carries a sense of humility and respect, further adding to its unique appeal.