Chronicle Editor
Brenda Zinyuke, Court Reporter
A 20-YEAR-OLD man from Nkayi has been arrested for allegedly raping an 80-year-old woman after hitting her with an iron bar.
He also attempted to steal money from her.
The man, whose name has been withheld to protect the rape victim, allegedly raped the woman in her bedroom.
He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and rape when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza.
The magistrate remanded him in custody to October 15 for judgment.
The court heard that the man allegedly went to the woman’s house pretending to be her son.
Prosecuting, Mr Thobekani Nyathi said on December 26 last year at around 3AM, the accused person went to the complainant’s house where he found her asleep.
“The accused person knocked on the complainant’s bedroom door and told her that he wanted his children who were sleeping in her bedroom,” he said.
The woman refused to open the door and told him to come in the morning.
“The accused person forcibly opened the door and took the complainant’s torch before demanding money from her,” Mr Nyathi said.
The woman noticed that it was not her son and tried to scream for help but the man allegedly hit the complainant on the head causing her to bleed profusely.
He allegedly raped her once.
The woman was referred to Nkayi District Hospital for medical treatment.
She suffered a deep cut due to the assault.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the accused person’s arrest. — @zinyuke98
Online Reporter