2 men 'rape' hitchhiker in bushy area

TWO men from Plumtree allegedly offered a lift to a 25-year-old woman and diverted into a bushy area where they took turns to rape her at knife point.

Itai Johanes (23) and Simbarashe Chingori (32) both of Dingumuzi area appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate, Mr Joshua Mawere facing rape charges.

They were remanded in custody to December 12.

Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said the woman met the two men in Plumtree's CBD on November 24 at around 3AM while she was on her way home.

She said they offered her a lift and she agreed as Johanes lived in her neighbourhood.

"On the way to her home in Dingumuzi Suburb, Chingori who was driving the car diverted the vehicle into a bushy area where he parked.

"Chingori and Johanes ordered the woman to remove her clothes but she resisted," said Mrs Sibanda.

She said Chingori locked the car doors, forced the woman down and Johanes raped her.

Mrs Sibanda said Johanes then held the woman down while Chingori raped her.

She said the pair then left their victim in the bush and fled.

The woman went to a nearby house to seek help and reported the matter to the police resulting in the arrest of the two men.