Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A MAN allegedly duped a Beitbridge shoe dealer to come to the capital, to collect an order, before robbing and raping her at a guest house in the Harare CBD.
The victim, a 30-year-old Beitbridge woman, said she was contacted by Ashley Gwezuva, who claimed he could supply “Tommy shoes.”
Gwezuva had been introduced to her in June by a friend, Virginia Gora, as a shoes supplier.
“He asked me to come and collect the shoes. When I arrived in Harare, he kept delaying, saying someone was bringing them until it was evening,” the victim said.
She said Gwezuva helped her secure accommodation at a lodge along Kaguvi Street.
“At around 1am, he knocked at my room asking for money. I opened the door and gave him US$500.
“Instead of leaving after receiving the money, he pounced on me and raped me once without protection before escaping,” she said.
The matter was reported at Harare Central Police Station under case reference IR 071201.
In an interview, Gwezuva confirmed the case arguing that they two have been in love. “I am a former BATA employee that is why I started a shoe business.
“In this case, this woman became angry because I owed her some money and when she travelled she found me without it.
“We started by doing business and ended up in a love affair. I have since started to negotiate with her to withdraw the case since I am giving her back her money,” said Gwezuva.
Mathew Masinge