Cyclist Disturbs Would-Be Rapist

A HARARE gardener and part-time photographer will spend the next two years in jail for trying to rape a maid he had summoned to collect her photographs.

Nobert Nsingo (24) who is alleged to have been deterred by a cyclist passing by pleaded not guilty to attempted rape charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Esthere Chivasa.

He was, however, convicted due to overwhelming evidence. Ms Chivasa sentenced him to four years in jail and suspended two years on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Ms Sarah Bosha proved that on August 7 this year the maid in question met Nsingo in the Msasa industrial area while coming from church.

She asked for her photographs taken by Nsingo and he told her they were ready for collection at his house. He asked the woman to accompany him to his place.

The gardener-cum-photographer proposed to the woman and she consented. He tried to persuade her to be intimate in a bushy area along their way but she resisted.

A persistent Nsingo caressed her legs and threatened to beat her if she did not comply.

He demanded the $4 he once gave her, shoved her to the ground and tried to choke her. Nsingo pinned her down but was disturbed by the cyclist and the woman freed herself.

Nsingo fled from the scene and was arrested later.