A 28-YEAR-OLD Lupane man was yesterday arraigned before the courts facing allegations of unlawful entry and raping a 49-year-old woman. NOKUTHABA DLAMINI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Sigidi Sibanda of Tshongokwe village appeared before Hwange regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga and was remanded in custody to today for judgment on both counts.
The court heard that on January 23 at around 4am, Sibanda went to the woman’s homestead where he forcefully opened the door of her bedroom hut where she was sleeping with her deaf and dumb 87-year-old mother.
Ncube heard some movements and lit paraffin lantern and noticed that it was Sibanda.
She then asked him what he was looking for in the bedroom and started screaming. Sibanda, who was armed with an axe, ordered the woman to remove her clothes and lie on the floor and he raped her once and fled the scene leaving his slippers.
The woman reported the matter to her sister, who helped her report the matter at the Lupane Police Station.
In denying the allegations, Sibanda said they were lovers, but problems started after she demanded money for sex.
“We were lovers since 2008. When she came from Bulawayo, she started saying I must pay her $10 per round, so I told her to remain with my slippers for some days as I was still looking for that $10. The following morning I got shocked when I heard that I was under arrest,” Sibanda said.
