Rapist attacks 4-year-old after her mum flees from his attack

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl from Bulilima District was raped after her mother fled from a man who wanted to rape her leaving her behind.

The infant's mother was attacked by a neighbour, Butholezwe Ndebele, 31, while she was alone with her daughter in her hut.

In a bid to save herself from being raped by Ndebele, she ran away in the middle of the night, leaving her daughter at the mercy of the rapist who then raped her until she fainted.

Ndebele arrived at the woman's homestead and asked for drinking water. He later claimed he was starving and was offered some food.

While the infant's mother was preparing to give him the food, Ndebele produced a knife and ordered the woman to remove her clothes.

He attempted to grab her but she wrestled him and managed to flee.

Ndebele appeared before Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa facing rape charges.

He was remanded in custody to August 22.

Prosecuting, Jane Phiri said after the woman escaped, Ndebele raped her daughter on July 23.

"The minor's mother wrestled with the accused and managed to escape leaving him holding her daughter who is four years old," said Phiri.

She said Ndebele then turned on the daughter and raped her until she fainted.

After escaping, the minor's mother informed her neighbours but when they returned to her homestead Ndebele had fled from the scene.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Ndebele's arrest the following day at his homestead.