Online Reporter
Tsenulo Moyo
IN a disturbing case, an 18-year-old boy from the Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo was arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl who had come to him seeking help to ward off goblins.
Knowledge Nyathi appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla, facing rape charges.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to February 24, 2025, for trial. In his defence, Nyathi claimed they were in a consensual romantic relationship and had engaged in consensual sexual intercourse on the day of the alleged offence.
He stated that the complainant came to his house around midnight unexpectedly, saying she wanted to surprise him.
“We continued discussing until we had consensual sexual intercourse. The complainant’s brother came around 9 pm and told me to run away, saying the complainant’s parents had reported me for sleeping with her.”
Nyathi alleged he did not run away and was subsequently arrested.
“The complainant told me her parents advised her to make such a complaint,” he claimed.
“She visited me with her younger brother and told me that if she revealed we were in a love relationship, her parents would chase her away from home, and it would also land them in jail.”
Nyathi further alleged that the complainant’s parents asked his family to pay US$200 for damages, and they paid US$150 after pleading with them.
Circumstances are that on 13 January 2023, Nyathi invited the complainant to his residence, claiming he would give her a charm to ward off goblins, and she agreed.
Upon arrival, he allegedly instructed her to follow him to his bedroom, where he further instructed her to remove her clothes, lie on her back, and then raped her.
The matter came to light when the complainant’s parents discovered she and Nyathi were having sexual relations. They reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.
