Visiting Botswana woman raped at knife point in Zimbabwe

A visiting Botswana woman was raped in Zimbabwe after her boyfriend fled a knife wielding attacker.

The 38-year-old woman had visited her 29-year-old boyfriend in Mangwe when a 19-year-old gold panner pounced on them. 

A court heard that Trymore Ndlovu of Lusulu Village, Lupane, allegedly raped the woman who is from Matsiloje Village in Botswana on 5 October during her one-week stay at her boyfriend's home in Mphoengs area, Mangwe.

He came across the two lovebirds in a bushy area and threatened the boyfriend who fled from the scene leaving his girlfriend behind. Ndlovu allegedly force-marched the complainant to a bushy area near Ingwizi River where he raped her once.

Ndlovu was not asked to plead when he appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa. He was remanded in custody to 29 November.

For the State, Mr Paul Mpofu said the woman and her boyfriend were on their way home after a beer drink at Mabuledi Business Centre when she was raped.

Ndlovu had followed them from the business centre and when he reached a bushy area he threatened the boyfriend with a knife forcing him to leave his girlfriend behind.

The accused then ordered the woman to escort him to his home and when they reached Ingwizi River he forcibly undressed her and raped her.

Meanwhile, the boyfriend returned with other villagers and they tracked the complainant and found her alone lying close to the river as the accused had fled the scene.

The complainant made a report to Mphoengs police the following day leading to Ndlovu's arrest.