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Bulawayo Bureau
A 53-year-old Bulawayo barber allegedly raped a mentally challenged woman and gave her a loaf of bread to buy her silence.
Bernard Muronza, of Thorngrove suburb, allegedly bought his 20-year-old victim a bottle of coke and a loaf of bread before raping her.
Muronza appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya facing a rape charge.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded to January 20 on $50 bail.
Prosecuting, Nkathazo Dlodlo said on December 29 last year between 8amand 10am, the complainant left home intending to go for a haircut in Nguboyenja suburb.
“Unfortunately, the barber who does her hair was not available.
“She then proceeded to Burombo where there were other barber men operating under a tree.
“Upon arrival at Burombo grounds, she approached Muronza and paid for the hair cut,” said Dlodlo.
The court heard that after the haircut, Muronza offered to buy her food at the shops.
Dlodlo said the woman refused but Muronza grabbed her arm and force marched her to Burombo tuckshop.
“Muronza, still holding her left arm, bought a loaf of bread and 300ml bottle of coke and took her to his place of residence in Thorn- grove.
He then locked the door before raping her once.
After the rape, the accused gave the complainant the loaf of bread and ordered her to go to her house, the court heard.
Dlodlo told the court that when she arrived home, the complainant reported the rape to her guardian who informed her mother.
A report was made to police leading to Muronza’s arrest.
Online Reporter