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Danisa Masuku
A Bellevue suburb man who has been accused of raping and kidnapping three women on different occasions has appeared in court.
Zimbabwe Mutale (34) appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Shingi Mutiro facing four counts of rape and a charge of kidnapping.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was remanded in custody to 24 July for the commencement of trial. On a date not known by the prosecutor but during the month of May this year, Mutale who was armed with an axe, allegedly met a 20-year-old woman and threatened to axe her to death if she resisted his demands.
He allegedly dragged her to a secluded place and raped her. It is alleged that on 17 June at around 6 pm, while a 21-year-old woman was walking to her home in the company of her friends, Mutale confronted them.
It is said he threatened to stab them to death before he instructed them to walk for about 100 metres after which he ordered them to lie down facing upwards for nearly two hours.
It is alleged that on 23 July Mutale met another 20-year-old woman while she was heading to her home with her siblings. It is alleged that he held the complainant by her neck and force-marched her to a nearby school fence where he allegedly raped her while her siblings were watching.
It is alleged that on 25 July Mutale saw another lady while she was heading to her home and grabbed her by her hand while threatening to stab her. After that he allegedly raped her. All the incidents were reported to the police leading to his arrest.
derick.khumalo