The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube
A 45-YEAR-OLD vegetable vendor from Figtree in Bulilima District, was raped at knife point by a bogus customer who went on to steal her money.
Khumbulani Ngwenya (32), who is also from the same area, appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Livard Philemon facing rape charges.
On the day of the incident, the complainant went to Hannavale Resettlement area to order vegetables for sale.
On her way back she made several stops at homesteads selling her vegetables.
Ngwenya stopped her on the way and claimed that he wanted to buy vegetables and they proceeded to his homestead. On the way he turned on her and produced an Okapi knife.
The complainant tried to offer him money so that he would not rape her but he dragged her into a bushy area while holding the knife to her throat.
He then ordered her to remove her clothes and threatened to stab her if she refused.
Prosecuting, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said the complainant complied and Ngwenya raped her once.
“The accused then raped the complainant once and took all the money which she had and fled from the scene,” he said.
The accused stole R100 from the complainant.
Mr Mazorodze said the incident occurred on 1 September but Ngwenya was arrested a month later after fleeing the village.
He said the complainant made a report and spotted Ngwenya on 10 October at a neighbour’s house. She reported having seen the accused person and led the police to the homestead where he was arrested.
Mr Philemon remanded Ngwenya in custody to 24 October.
