JUST IN: Man wanted for rape arrested with illegal firearm

was subjected to repeated sexual abuse by four perpetrators, including three male adults and a teenager, on multiple occasions while walking home from school

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau

A 21-year-old man who went on the run for four days after allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Beitbridge, has been arrested by police and found with an illegal firearm.

Felix Zinyama of Dulivhadzimu suburb allegedly raped the girl outdoors at knife-point on January 14, before going into hiding.

Zinyama was not asked to plead to charges of rape and illegal possession of a firearm when he appeared before Miss Vavariro Gabi yesterday and was remanded in custody to February 25.

Prosecutor Mr Oswell Arufandi told the court that on Thursday last week, Zinyama, who stays in the same neighbourhood as the girl, saw her in the bush.

He then called the girl and walked with her to a secluded area where he raped her once at knife-point.

Zinyama is also alleged to have threatened to kill the victim if she reported the matter to anyone and then disappeared for four days.

Zinyama ran out of luck on Monday when police officers on patrol in Dulivhadzimu suburb received a tip-off on his hiding place.

They raided the house where they found him asleep and arrested him.

A search of his room led to the discovery of an unlicensed Star pistol with an empty magazine.

The firearm was taken into police custody pending further investigations.