adminSukulwenkosi Dube Matutu Plumtree Correspondent
A RAPE suspect yesterday demanded a trial date from a Plumtree magistrate after complaining that he has been languishing in remand prison for the past eight months. Mpilo Ngwenya (29) told Plumtree magistrate, Mr Livard Philemon, that he had stayed for too long at Plumtree Prison without being furnished with a trial date. “Can I have a trial date Your Worship because I’ve been in remand for the past eight months? Each time I come to this court I’m just given another remand date and not a trial date,” said Ngwenya.
Mr Philemon referred the question to the State.
In response, Mrs Rose Sibanda told Ngwenya that his docket had been submitted to the Bulawayo Regional Court and he would be getting a trial date soon.
Ngwenya was further remanded in custody to August 17.
He appeared on initial remand at the Plumtree Magistrate’s Court in November last year facing rape charges.
Allegations against Ngwenya are that in November last year in Masendu area in Bulilima, he forcibly had sexual intercourse with his 20-year-old girlfriend who lives within the same neighbourhood.
Ngwenya allegedly invited the woman to his house and persuaded her to spend the night in his homestead. She refused and Ngwenya locked his bedroom hut and raped her once. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter