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Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter—-
A 28-year-old Bulawayo man will today hear his fate after he was yesterday convicted of raping, stabbing and robbing a woman from Queens Park West suburb. Simelinkosi Mlalazi, who cut his victim’s panties using the stab knife before raping her, also faked his name and misled the court by claiming he was Thabani Tshuma.He allegedly sneaked into the complainant’s house and stole property and cash worth $500 after stabbing her thrice and raping her.
Mlalazi pleaded not guilty to all the counts blaming the crime on a Zimbulene whose existence he failed to prove in court.
The State case led by Masimba Saruwaka is that on 13 September 2013, Mlalazi went to the victim’s house and opened an unlocked dining room door to gain entry at around 2AM.
He proceeded to the bedroom where the complainant was sleeping and stood beside the bed. She woke up and screamed but Mlalazi leaped over her and covered her face with a duvet and stabbed her once on the shoulder.
He then instructed her to follow his orders to avoid getting stabbed again. Mlalazi told the victim to spread her legs.
The frightened woman complied.
He then took his knife and tore her panties in two pieces and raped the woman.
As he raped her, a stolen phone rang from his pocket and it was later identified by the complainant’s friend after tracking it.
After raping her, he stabbed her again and demanded money. The woman showed him $34 which he took.
He then stabbed her for a third time saying the money was too little.
He then packed clothes into two suitcases, took an amplifier and two phones from the house and left. Mlalazi was arrested by police in the city and the stolen goods were recovered.
Saruwaka also indicated that Mlalazi had been previously convicted of other crimes that will be discussed today in court.
Regional magistrate Sikhumbuzo Nyathi rebuked Mlalazi for lying to the court and convicted him of rape, robbery and unlawful entry.
“It is clear from the witnesses that you indeed committed the crimes of rape, robbery and unlawful entry.
“In your evidence-in-chief you lied and wasted the court’s time by claiming you lived with your brother and sister-in-law in Makokoba.
“Your brother however proved that first you are not Thabani Tshuma as you claimed and he also told the court that he did not stay with you as your whereabouts were unknown to the family.
“Three stolen phones were recovered from you and the complainant identified two of them as hers. The other one which had a tracker was identified by other complainants whom you robbed shortly before breaking into her house.
“The court will announce your sentence tomorrow (today),” said Nyathi.
Online Reporter