The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A BULILIMA neighbourhood watch committee member has been arrested after he broke into a villager’s bedroom hut and raped her while her children were sleeping inside.
Washington Ndlovu (41) of Nyabane area last week appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate Mr Joshua Mawere facing rape charges. He was remanded in custody to 27 January. Mr Mawere advised Ndlovu to make a bail application at the High Court.
Prosecuting, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said Ndlovu followed the 28-year-old woman to her home at night and raped her on 10 September.
“The woman was at Nyabane Business Centre around 7pm with two of her friends where they were attending a local music show. Ndlovu, who is a member of the neighbourhood watch committee, approached them and ordered them to leave and proceed to their homes as it was late and they could be victimised sexually. They complied and left and Ndlovu offered to accompany them. On their way he started fondling the woman’s breasts but she rebuked him and he parted with them and went back,” he said.
Mr Mazorodze said the woman further parted ways with her friends but she didn’t realise that Ndlovu was following her. He said she went into her bedroom hut where her two children were sleeping and retired to bed but did not lock the door as the lock system was faulty.
Mr Mazorodze said a few minutes later, Ndlovu entered the bedroom hut and gagged the woman’s mouth with his hand. She tried to wrestle him but he tripped her to the ground and raped her before fleeing from the homestead. The woman reported the matter to the police, resulting in Ndlovu’s arrest.
