Man, 37, in court for raping a 91-year-old woman

A 37-year-old Inyathi man allegedly raped a 91-year-old woman after he found her alone at her homestead.

Thandolwenkosi Moyo pleaded not guilty and told the court that he did not have knowledge of where the woman lived.

"Your worship I don't even know the victim and where she resides but she is alleging that I raped her. I was surprised when police officers came to my house to arrest me," said Moyo.

Testifying, the granny told the court that even though it was dark in the room, she managed to identify Moyo through his voice as she had heard him speak on numerous occasions.

"I heard him speak that night your worship, he even asked for matches to light his cigarette after raping me," she said.

Magistrate Trynos Utawashe remanded Moyo in custody to Tuesday for judgment.

Prosecuting, Robin Mukura told the court that on November 3, 2014 at around 9PM, the complainant was alone at her homestead preparing to go to sleep in her bedroom hut.

She then heard noise outside the hut and when she put on the light to check the source of noise, she was suddenly grabbed by her throat and ordered to keep quiet, the court heard.

Moyo allegedly forced the complainant to lie on the bed before raping her once.

He then allegedly threatened to kill her if she dared report the rape to anyone.

The complainant reported the rape to her neighbour, David Xaba soon after Moyo had left, the court heard.

The following day, Xaba accompanied the complainant to Siganda Police Station where she reported the rape leading to Moyo's arrest.