mbulelo smpofu
Trish Mukwazo, trishmukwazo515@gmailcom
A 28-year-old Nkayi man has appeared in court for waylaying two minors, aged 10 and 12 years, while they were on their way to school and allegedly raping them at knifepoint on separate occasions.
He reportedly dragged them to a secluded area in the forest, where he raped them at knifepoint and threatened to cut off their hands if they reported the matter to anyone.
Lubambo appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mnkandla, who remanded him in custody to tomorrow for the continuation of the trial.
The two complainants took to the witness stand on Friday, narrating how Lubambo allegedly raped them while they were on their way to school.
Prosecutor Ms Nomthandazo Mafu said Lubambo allegedly raped the 10-year-old victim on October 9, 2023 after spotting her as she was on her way to school.
“The accused grabbed the complainant and force-marched her to a bushy area near Nkayi Primary School, where he stripped her before raping her,” she said.
The court heard that when she tried to resist, Lubambo slapped her on the back of her head before fleeing the scene.
Ms Mafu further told the court that Lubambo allegedly raped the 12-year-old victim on September 16, 2023 after spotting her on her way to school in the company of five other pupils.
The matter came to light when the victim narrated her ordeal to her mother, who reported the case to the police, leading to Lubambo’s arrest. Further investigations revealed that he had also committed another rape case the previous year.
Online Reporter