Shurugwi man rapes aunt at knife-point

In court

A 24-year-old Shurugwi man raped his 18-year-old aunt at knife-point and was discovered by police and witnesses stark naked lying on the floor after committing the crime.

The accused of Chief Ndanga village in Shurugwi and is unemployed was on Friday brought before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza and was convicted of rape.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with labour of which three years were suspended on condition of good behaviour. The man is a nephew to the complainant.

Presenting the State’s case, Mr Shepherd Mafa said that on 31 December, at around 6 pm, the man, who was residing at the same place with the complainant, went home in the company of his friend.

The court heard that he asked for food and the complainant gave him the food which he ate with his friend. The friend later left the accused’s place and went to his home.

Mr Mafa said at around 8 pm, the complainant left the kitchen hut intending to go to her bedroom, but before she could enter her bedroom, the accused grabbed and dragged her to the kitchen hut.

He said two women, namely Ms Violet Mhuri and Bridget Jaricha, heard the complainant crying and went to the hut to investigate. Mr Mafa said the two women saw the accused person dragging the complainant to the kitchen hut.

He said Ms Mhuri and Ms Jaricha quickly went to one Mr Godfrey Mupedzisi, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee and made a report to him of what they had seen.

Meanwhile, the accused continued to rape the complainant. When they got into the kitchen hut, he tripped the complainant and undressed her before raping her once.

The court heard that the accused threatened the complainant with a knife if ever she revealed the crime to anyone. Mr Mafa said when Mr Mupedzisi received the report from the two women he immediately went to Donga Police and reported to the police what Ms Mhuri and Ms Jaricha had told him.
He was then accompanied by a police officer and the two went to the accused’s homestead to investigate, the court heard.

Mr Mafa said the police officer and Mr Mupedzisi opened the kitchen hut door and saw the complainant standing inside the kitchen crying while the accused was fast asleep on the floor naked and he was immediately arrested.