The Sunday News
Sukoluhle Ndlovu, Midlands Correspondent
A 37-year-old businessman from Mberengwa allegedly raped his employee for allegedly turning down his love proposal.
The man, Praymore Ndlela, who owns a bottle store and resides at ZRP Buchwa Camp in Mberengwa pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipha charged with indecent assault and rape.
He was remanded out of custody on $100 bail. Prosecuting Kelvin Guvheya told the court that on February 20 in Buchwa Business Centre, Mberengwa, Ndlela went to his bottle store and pretended to be making beer orders.
“He then instructed the complainant to follow him to the storeroom and she complied. Ndlela grabbed the complainant’s right hand and inquired why the complainant was rejecting his love proposal,” said Mr Guvheya.
The court heard that Ndlela pinned the complainant against the wall while holding her hands from behind.
“He went on to fondle complainant’s breast and her private parts. The complainant wrestled the accused and she managed to escape and ran outside. After about 15 minutes, Ndlela instructed the complainant to take beers from the storeroom and load them in the car.
She complied and proceeded to the storeroom and Ndlela followed, grabbed her by the waist and tripped her to the ground,” said Mr Guvheya.
They wrestled on the floor for a while and Ndlela raped the complainant once and left her in the storeroom screaming for help.
The complainant went to Ndlela’s grandmother and told her about her ordeal, and she was advised to tell her parents about the matter. She phoned her parents who advised her to report the matter to the police. She proceeded to Zvishavane police station and reported the matter leading to Ndlela’s arrest.
