By Thando Sithole

SINNERS, is a recently released notorious film based on women rapists who are making headlines in Zimbabwe today.
And with the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in the limelight, it might be something worthwhile to look at the film Sinners.
It strikes a balance on gender violence as well.
Sinners, the title itself says a lot.
There are some people who say in Shona, “mukadzi akapotsa anzi mutadzi.”
But, how true is this statement?
The title Sinners sounds so apt because of all the prostitution, adultery, betrayal and taboo that happens in this film!
On the other hand, these women are trying to survive independently by doing ‘small things’ says one of the characters ‘Kere’ who is a prostitute, but resorts to raping men after being offered a lucrative deal.
Unfortunately, they are victims of poverty, child abuse, domestic violence and peer pressure.
The film reeks of satire!
It is set in modern Zimbabwe, in the urban areas.
The women rapists are prostitutes who have been lured to a good business deal.
Every one of these women has a story.
In line with gender violence, Chipo is a victim of domestic abuse and resorts to prostitution.
Samantha the main character, has a long story to tell.
She is a victim of child marriage, domestic abuse and peer pressure.
Tradition has oppressed to such an extent that she betrays her fiancé Romeo and he dies because of an HIV-related disease.
Sinners evolves around Samantha and enlightens one on the day-to-day problems of a girl child especially those in university.
Samantha is a rural girl who is betrothed to an older man (kuzvarira).
She is a university student and finds herself in a complicated love triangle. Conflict between tradition and modernity is rife in the film.
She is pressurised by her friend to escape to prostitution, her friend is also a victim of poverty who resorting to prostitution.
Samantha sadly is a victim of gender violence.
Her maternal aunt comes to see her and asks her to come back to the village to carry out the forced wifely duties to the old man.
On the other hand the old man often visits her in the city, for ‘conjugal rights’. If Samantha doesn’t return, her sister will be the next victim
Meanwhile, Chipo a mother of two resorts to prostitution after her marriage fails.
The poor woman is bashed in public by her former husband, while his sister watches in a luxurious vehicle.
Chipo is a victim of domestic violence.
She does not stay with her children and she hardly gets to see them.
She escapes to alcoholism and prostitution.
Her sister-in-law helps her and comes up with a ‘brilliant’ business plan; sperm collection from innocent men!
The vicious cycle of abuse doesn’t stop at the women only, it goes on to affect men this time!
A taboo has just been unleashed!
Kere and Patience are driven by poverty to resort to prostitution.
Patience is Samantha’s colleague and reminds her not to tell anyone else back at the university about her other life as a thigh vendor.
Both women end up joining the gang of women who are rapists.
Kere is a guardian to her niece and she watches over the younger sex workers and their welfare.
She helps a friend who has been assaulted, but she eventually dies and she as the oldest has to round up everyone else to give a decent burial and send off to her rural home.
March 2011 was when female rapists made headlines.
The first were caught in Gweru.
They caused quite a stir in the small town, and nationwide!
God knows what they do with the male seed after harvesting it.
In the film Sinners, innocent men, hitchhikers are offered transport and driven to a secluded place.
Well it is rather unfortunate the poor man is not able to see the abnormalities in the vehicles, so many females.
He is not seduced, he is raped!
Gang raped!
One escapes and manages to pick out one of the female rapists and she denies vehemently!
Well others don’t make it.
They watch helplessly as five women gang up against them.
Gentlemen table shave turned this time, you can be a victim of rape too! Funny isn’t it?
It is happening
Sinners completes the cycle of gender violence starting from child marriages pepertrated by tradition, domestic violence, sexual abuse on women children and men!
A 16-year-old is coercing with her boyfriend.
She is probably doing this because she sees her aunty going to ‘work’ and sometimes brings ‘her clients’ home.
The young girl is a victim of sexual abuse as well.
With 16 days of activism on gender based violence, one can watch this film.
However, it is too graphical in nature so no one under the age of 18 must watch it.