A HWANGE man was arraigned before Hwange regional magistrate responsible for the Western Division, Dambudzo Malunga to answer charges of allegedly raping a 26-year-old hard of hearing woman.
NOKUTHABA DLAMINI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Jona Ngwenya (37) of Mapakandebvu village pleaded not guilty to rape when he appeared in court submitting that he had had consensual sex with the woman in exchange for mealie meal.
Ngwenya was remanded out of custody to 21 April for continuation of trial.
For the State, Tawanda Sigauke said sometime in November 2012, Fransin Nyoni of the same area went to Masuna River to fetch water and firewood when she met Ngwenya.
The two greeted each other and Ngwenya allegedly grabbed the woman and pushed her to the ground and raped her.
After the rape, Ngwenya then gave the woman 500 grammes of mealie meal that he was carrying before threatening to kill her if she disclosed her ordeal to anyone.
The woman took the mealie-meal and torn panties and immediately reported the case to the village head with the help of her mother, leading to Ngwenya’s arrest.
