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Melissa Chekwa
AN ex-convict from Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo was dragged back into the dock for allegedly raping a woman in the presence of her three-year-old child.
Allegations against 24-year-old Dingani Sibangani Ncube were that she met the victim in a bushy area close to a railway crossing in Entumbane suburb and demanded that she hands over her belongings.
The victim had just fetched her young child from a kindergarten school.
Sibangani appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza charged with rape and robbery.
Narrating her ordeal in court, the victim said the accused emerged from the bushes and threatened to hurt her if she didn’t comply with his demands.
“He pulled out a huge knife, demanded that I hand over my bag and I asked him to give me a chance to retrieve my pills but he refused and grabbed the bag which contained cash, a cellphone, hospital and bank cards,” said the victim.
The accused was not done as he is alleged to have overpowered the victim and pulled her to a nearby tree, pulled down her undergarments before allegedly raping her.
Appearing for the State, prosecutor Caroline Matanga said the stolen cellphone was valued at $200.
However, in his defence Ncube denied the charges and instead claimed that he was, in fact, incarcerated at the Bulawayo Prison at the time he is alleged to have committed the crime.
Ncube was remanded in custody for continuation of trial on Friday.
Online Reporter