Man (24) rapes woman at knife point in presence of her three-year-old son

A KWEKWE woman was allegedly raped in front of his three-year-old son at knife point at a maize field where she was guarding her crop from being devoured by baboons.

The accused Phenias Banda (24) appeared on Wednesday before Gokwe resident magistrate Shepherd Mjanja facing charges of rape. He pleaded not guilty to rape and told the court that he was in love with the woman and she had consented to have sex with him. Banda was remanded in custody to April 10 and was advised to apply to the High Court for bail.

Prosecutor Rumbidzai Katsande told the court that the woman and her three-year-old son were in their field in Kwekwe.

Banda went to their field and found her and the child together. He allegedly inquired from her about the whereabouts of her husband and she advised him that he was away. Banda then proposed love, but she turned him down.

He allegedly drew out a knife and threatened to stab her. Katsande said he forced her to lie down and raped her in-front of her son before threatening to kill her if she told anyone about the matter.

The victim advised her husband about the abuse and the couple reported the matter to the police. A manhunt was launched, leading to Banda's arrest.