Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
A 77-YEAR-OLD granny refused to become an easy target when a man allegedly forced his way into her bedroom, put a knife to her throat and tried to rape her.
The brave grandmother fought back, managed to grab the knife and screamed for help, forcing the alleged attacker to flee.
The Tsholotsho woman cannot be named to protect her identity.
Amos Sidingani (54), who is facing an attempted rape charge, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla and is expected back in court on Friday for sentencing.
Sidingani denied the charge.
“I did not commit the crime. The complainant told this court that on the day in question it was dark and how did she see that it was me,” he said.
But the granny gave a detailed account of how she allegedly came face-to-face with her attacker.
She told the court that she was asleep in her bedroom hut at her homestead in Luhonja Line, Sipepa, when she heard a noise at the door.
“I heard a noise on the door and switched on the torch, I saw the accused standing by the door wearing a black long jacket and a white T-shirt and faded pink trousers,” she said.
The court heard that Sidingani allegedly moved towards her, produced a knife and placed it against her throat.
“He ordered me to keep quiet and threatened to kill me with a knife,” the complainant told the court.
She allegedly refused to surrender.
The State said Sidingani pushed her onto the bed and tried to rape her, but she fought back.
The granny then screamed for help.
Her screams reportedly attracted neighbours, forcing the accused to flee from the homestead.
The complainant told the court that neighbours followed footprints and eventually found Sidingani at his home.
She said his shirt had blood stains.
The investigating officer also told the court that Sidingani was wearing the same black jacket when he was arrested and that his shirt had blood stains.
“When we arrested him, his shirt had blood stains and he was wearing a black jacket,” said the investigating officer.
