Villagers catch rapist in the act

News
AN alleged Gokwe rapist was arrested last week after he was caught in the act, raping a woman in a bushy area after she had turned down his sexual advances.

AN alleged Gokwe rapist was arrested last week after he was caught in the act, raping a woman in a bushy area after she had turned down his sexual advances.

SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER

This was heard by Gokwe resident magistrate Shepherd Mjanja when Doubt Nkiwane (18) appeared in court on Thursday facing rape charges. Nkiwane was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to February 12. The magistrate advised him to apply to the High Court for bail.

Prosecutor Calisto Mutema told the court that on January 27 the complainant was walking in a bushy area close to the Gokwe Apostolic Faith Mission Church at around 4pm when she met Nkiwane, who proposed love to her, but she turned him down.

It is the State’s case that Nkiwane followed the woman, who was taking a shorter route to Gokwe town centre, grabbed and dragged her into some shrubs where they wrestled for a moment before he raped her.

The woman screamed and some villagers rushed to the scene and caught Nkiwane in the act. He tried to flee, but was caught and handed over to the police.

In another incident, Clever Mauto (50) also appeared before the same magistrate accused of raping a sick relative he was supposed to be taking care of at his homestead.

Mauto pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to February 12.

Allegations are that on December 6 last year Mauto took the ill complainant (18) to his homestead intending to take her to hospital for treatment.

On December 9, the complainant slept in Mauto’s bedroom while he and his wife slept in the kitchen.

It is alleged that during the night, Mauto sneaked out of the blankets and went to the bedroom where the victim was sleeping. He allegedly gagged her before raping her once.

The woman informed her aunt in the morning and she in turn made a report to the police leading to Mauto’s arrest.