‘It was worth it’: Vindication as predator found guilty of raping eight women

Tuesday, 1 October 2024

Vindication and relief have come to the fore as John Hope Muchirahondo has been found guilty of 17 sex charges related to nine women.

He was found to have raped eight of the women, including Jenny*. “It’s definitely a relief”, she told The Press. “It feels like it was all worth it.”

Muchirahondo, 38, had been on trial at the High Court in Christchurch since July, where he faced 21 charges of sexual violation by rape, nine of unlawful sexual connection, and one of failing to provide the pin code to his cellphone.

Read more: The story of a sexual predator named ‘Hope’

On Monday, a jury found him guilty of 11 of the rape charges, six of unlawful sexual connection and the charge of failing to provide his pin. In all, he was found guilty of sexually abusing nine of the 15 women he was accused of violating.

Jenny was raped by Muchirahondo in March 2019. Speaking after the verdicts were handed down, she said he hated women and wasn’t afraid to show it. “Women are not safe around him. I’m just glad to be safe and away from him. That means a lot. To not have to worry about him being on the streets.”

Muchirahondo was dangerous, Jenny said. “He can charm people easily. He’s manipulative. By the time his true colours show, its even harder to get yourself away from him.

“I’d like to thank the police for believing me and working so hard. I’d encourage anyone who has been raped or assaulted to come forward. It is worth it.”

Do you know more, or are you affected and wish to speak to a reporter? Email** jake.kenny@stuff.co.nz confidentially**

Muchirahondo was found not guilty of eight charges and acquitted on those. The jury could not agree and were hung on five charges. He stood mostly emotionless in the dock as the verdicts were handed down.

‘He’s an animal’

Shona, not her real name, said the not-guilty verdicts for her complaints were “bitter sweet”.

“I’m sad for myself, but I’m relieved that I can live now and not be frightened of him,” she said.

“He’s recognised as a predator and not safe to be in the community. I know it happened, and ultimately he hasn’t accepted guilt for anything. His thoughts are irrelevant.”

Like Jenny, the woman said she witnessed Muchirahondo’s hatred of women on multiple occasions. “People need to know he’s an animal, and now they do”, she said.

“He’s so charming and you want to give him the benefit of the doubt. But it takes you a long time to realise it’s just one big gaslight. I’m still hurt, but the big picture is that I’m safe. What he thinks and what he feels is of no interest to me. I am safe from him and that’s what matters.

“The most important thing is that he is recognised as a dangerous man. That means more than anything.”

All 18 guilty verdicts were returned by majority - meaning all but one juror agreed. The eight not guilty verdicts were returned unanimously.

It took jurors more than 40 hours of deliberation time over 10 days to return their verdicts since they retired on Tuesday, September 17. They did so after hearing six weeks of detailed, often extremely graphic evidence and comprehensive closing addresses from the Crown and defence.

Ten days is the longest the jury has taken to deliberate a case in Christchurch in recent memory. Jurors asked 23 questions during that time.

After the verdicts, Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves acknowledged “the significant bravery and strength shown by the many complainants”.

“Sharing their experiences with police and throughout the judicial process has required grit and courage. They have had their memories attacked and attempts made to discredit their account. They have withstood the challenges and [had] their voices heard,” she said.

“They should be incredibly proud of their actions and I hope these verdicts bring some measure of peace and closure.”

The case

The Crown’s case was that Muchirahondo was a sexual deviant with little regard or care for consent. Those he targeted included women he was in relationships with, some who considered him a friend and others he met for the first time on nights out at clubs.

In her closing address, prosecutor Claire Boshier said Muchirahondo would maintain a level of “predatory sobriety” while plying his victims with alcohol until they were highly intoxicated or unconscious. Then he would strike.

Dozens of explicit videos found on his phone appeared to show him sexually violating women while they were asleep.

Muchirahondo could be seen laughing, frowning, gesturing with his hands and shaking his head several times during the Crown’s closing.

The defence argued Muchirahondo’s belief around consent was tied to a background of cultural misunderstandings.

He was from Zimbabwe, where more traditional gender roles were observed and there was a different attitude to sex. Women would play “hard to get” with men and chasing them was part of flirtation. Persistence was not guilt, defence lawyer Anselm Williams said.

Justice Lisa Preston remanded Muchirahondo in custody to be sentenced on December 13. She thanked the jury for their “extraordinary” service.