Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku [email protected]
A MAN who pretended to help unsuspecting women to board a commuter omnibus at the bus stop, and lured them to a bushy area near Mpilo Central Hospital where he allegedly sexually attacked them, has been arrested and appeared in court.
Alphios Chitsa (42) appeared on Tuesday before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Taurai Manuwere. He was not asked to plead and advised of his right to seek the services of a lawyer and to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court before being remanded in custody until 6 July.
Prosecuting, Ms Concilia Ncube told the court that the first incident occurred this year on 11 February at around 9PM when a complainant was walking along Luveve Road from the old bus terminus, widely known as Erenkini, looking for transport to Lobengula West suburb.
“She was suddenly approached by the accused person, who offered help to carry her sack of green mealies. The accused went on to convince the complainant that he was also looking for transport so they could walk together to Emachipsini in Mzilikazi suburb, where transport was easy to find, and the complainant agreed,” said Ms Ncube.
The court heard that the accused later diverted the complainant towards Mpilo Central Hospital.
“He sweet talked her into walking to a bushy area situated near Mpilo Central Hospital. Upon reaching that place, he committed the sickening attack and took her phone,” said Ms Ncube.
The matter was reported to the police, and during an identification parade the complainant positively identified the accused.
Ms Ncube further told the court that on 16 March at around 4PM, the accused met an 18-year-old woman at Bulawayo Centre and asked her to accompany him to Mpilo Central Hospital.
“He told her that his mother was seriously ill. After they boarded a kombi to Mpilo Central Hospital, upon arrival the accused asked the complainant to accompany him to a bushy area situated behind the hospital where he attacked her. After that, he dragged her to a derelict abandoned room and assaulted her again. He freed her the following morning,” said Ms Ncube.
On 4 June at around 10PM, the accused met a 22-year-old woman near Tredgold Building after she had failed to get transport to Nyamandlovu in Matabeleland North Province.
He offered her a place to sleep and took her to Mpilo Central Hospital, claiming that was where he had left his car. Upon arrival, he took her to a bushy area situated behind the hospital.
“He produced an okapi knife and attacked her. After the first assault, he took her to an abandoned room where he assaulted her again,” the court heard.
On 16 June at around 8PM, the accused met a 41 year old woman near Tredgold Building and took her to a bushy area behind Mpilo Central Hospital.
“He attempted twice to assault her, but the woman resisted until he gave up,” the court heard.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.
Blessing Chizhande