Man Attempts Suicide After 15-Year Sentence for Attempted Rape

A man jumped from a courthouse building after a judge gave him 15 years behind bars for trying to rape his cousin. Monwabisi Mhilwane leaped from the third floor at Bulawayo Magistrates Court last week. The 38-year-old crashed onto a prison cell roof on the first floor and broke his leg. Prison guards had been leading him out of court when he broke free and jumped. He told reporters from his hospital bed that he wanted to die because the sentence made him furious.

Doctors at Mpilo Central Hospital are treating Mhilwane for serious injuries all over his body. He has fractures in his upper body and bruises on his face along with the broken leg. Prison officers are watching him around the clock as he recovers. Court workers and the public watched in shock as the incident unfolded. Medical teams rushed to help after he hit the roof.

Mhilwane had been convicted of trying to attack his 19-year-old cousin at their family home. He had threatened the young woman several times and even told relatives he would rape her. Police caught him red-handed when he tried to assault her again. The magistrate said he had abused his position as a family member and the victim was vulnerable.

The convicted man faces two new criminal charges for his courthouse jump. Authorities will charge him with escaping from lawful custody and causing serious harm to himself. He must appear in court again when doctors say he can leave the hospital.