adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A BOGUS prophet from Bulilima District allegedly raped a villager and then threatened to cast an evil spell on her if she reported the matter to the police.
Mlalameli Sibanda, 41, of Malopa area, later claimed that the complainant was his girlfriend and that he had the right to rape her.
He appeared before Plumtree magistrate Livard Philemon on initial remand facing charges of raping his 22-year-old neighbour.
Sibanda was not asked to plead and remanded in custody to March 25.
Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Sibanda proceeded to the complainant’s workplace in March and invited her to a show at Malopa Business Centre and she agreed.
Along the way, Sibanda diverted the complainant after indicating that he had to collect some medication for a client at his homestead.
“When they reached his homestead, Sibanda grabbed the woman by the hand and dragged her into his bedroom hut where he raped her once,” said Mazorodze.
After committing the offence, Sibanda ordered the complainant to leave his homestead and threatened to cast an evil spell on her if she reported the matter.
Mazorodze said the woman ignored the threats and reported the matter to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest.
In another case which occurred in the same district, a 28-year-old man from Nyabane area raped his Grade Two niece and the girl’s grandparents warned the juvenile against reporting the matter.
The offence only came to light after the police got a tip off from villagers on February 27.
Thinkwell Ndlovu appeared before Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa facing charges of raping his seven-year-old niece.
He was not asked to plead and remanded in custody to March 25.
Prosecuting, Stanley Chinyanganya said Ndlovu found his niece alone at home and summoned her.
“On a date unknown but during the period ranging between January 1 and October 30 last year, Ndlovu found the juvenile alone and he dragged her into a nearby bush.
“He ordered her to undress and lie on a rock and raped her once. Ndlovu warned the complainant against reporting the matter and he told his niece to implicate a person named Bheki if the matter was discovered,” said Chinyanganya.
He said the complainant reported the matter to her grandparents and other relatives who concealed the offence in order to protect Ndlovu as he was a relative.
Chinyanganya said the seven-year-old girl later disclosed what had happened after she was questioned by a police officer and a member of the social services department who were acting on a tip off, resulting in Ndlovu’s arrest.
Online Reporter