Tsholotsho man beds neighbour all night at knife point

Tsholotsho man is in hot soup after he forcibly took a woman to his home at knifepoint where he allegedly raped her throughout the night.

The woman managed to escape at around 6AM the following morning after the rapist fell asleep.

Mqondisi Sibanda (32) pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and rape when he appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Chrispen Mberewere on Friday.

Sibanda said he did not have much to say in defence and the court could take any action it deemed necessary.

The magistrate remanded him in custody to Wednesday for judgment.

Prosecuting, Mr Simbarashe Manyiwa told the court that on March 11 this year, Sibanda went to the victim’s place of residence at around 11PM.

Accused person pushed complainant’s door open and dragged her to his homestead. He whipped her all the way. Upon arrival he stripped her and raped her all night at knife point, threatening to stab her if she screamed. Complainant escaped at 5AM.

The victim then reported the matter to her mother who accompanied her to the police,” said Mr Manyiwa.

Testifying, the victim told the court that Sibanda drew an Okapi knife from his pocket and ordered her to follow him.

The woman said when they got to his homestead, her attacker forcibly removed all her clothes and pushed her onto the bed.

“He raped me through the night. At 5AM, I asked him to release me but he refused. He went back to sleep and that was when I fled from his house,” she said.