Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
A 23-year-old man from Gwanda has been jailed for an effective 15 years for strangling and raping a villager (23) from Swereki area in Beitbridge.
Ashley Ndlovu is said to have tricked and lured the victim to a bushy area after lying that her boyfriend wanted to meet her.
Although he denied the charge, Ndlovu was convicted on a charge of rape following a full trial before Beitbridge regional magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa.
Appearing for the State, Mr Willbrought Muleya said on August 17, the accused went to the complainant’s homestead in Swereke around midnight.
He then lied to her that her boyfriend wanted to meet with her by the roadside 50 metres from her house.
When the woman left to meet the boyfriend, she was followed by Ndlovu who then grabbed her by the neck and dragged her further into the bush.
While in the bush, he raped her once at the same time strangling her.
After the act the complainant managed to regain strength and overpowered him, freeing herself.
She went to seek help from some villagers, who later apprehended Ndlovu and took him to the police.
