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Danisa Masuku
A MAN who dragged a woman into his bedroom and hit her with a walking stick before sexually attacking her has been jailed for 15 years.
Henry Mthombeni (46) from Inyathi in Matabeleland North Province recently appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga facing a rape charge.
In all his appearances, he had pleaded not guilty. However, he was found guilty and sentenced to serve 20 years in jail. The magistrate suspended five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years. Mthombeni will effectively serve 15 years behind bars.
In her ruling, the magistrate branded Mthombeni as a barbaric and insane person who used force and violence when he sexually attacked a fellow villager. The magistrate further said Mthombeni was heartless as he indiscriminately battered the woman, injuring her in the face and chest.
The court heard that on 27 May this year, the victim visited Mthombeni at his home to leave a blanket. While she was there, Mthombeni pulled a shocker accusing her of having stolen some of his items in the past.
After that, he dragged her to his bedroom hut where he battered her with a walking stick. A neighbour came to her rescue after she heard high-pitched screams.
After a week, the woman returned to Mthombeni’s homestead to leave a blanket but Mthombeni once again accused her of being a thief. The furious Mthombeni, the court heard, dragged her into his bedroom and battered her with a walking stick before raping her.
After the ordeal, the woman left for his home. She reported the incident to the police leading to the arrest of Mthombeni.
derick.khumalo