Train inspector caught in rape storm

A NATIONAL Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotives inspector was yesterday hauled to court for allegedly raping a woman that he had given a lift in his car.

Ranganai Mhere (36) stationed in Gweru, appeared before Magistrate Ms Elizabeth Nago facing one count of rape.

The magistrate did not ask him to plead and remanded him out of custody to September 7 on $ 50 bail.

Mhere in his grounds for bail claimed that he had consensual sexual intercourse with the complainant since they are lovers.

Prosecutor, Miss Ellen Mutema told the court that on August 5 around 4PM, Mhere met the complainant who was walking down the fly over along the Gweru-Bulawayo road.

Miss Mutema said the complainant asked Mhere for directions to a certain road. "The accused told the complainant that he knew the road she was looking for and asked her to get into his car," she said. The court heard that in Mhere's vehicle was another male passenger who dropped off at an undisclosed location.

"Mhere pulled off the road and started fondling the complainant's breasts before moving out of the car and going to the passenger side were the complainant was. The accused person opened the car door and went for the complainant's legs which he pulled and removed her trousers before raping her once before he took the complainant to her sister's house," Miss Mutema said.