Man arrested for 'kidnapping', raping ex-lover

A 24-year-old man from Village 8, Dombodema, Bulilima district, Matabeleland South, has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping his 18-year-old former girlfriend.

Wonder Lutho Ncube appeared before Plumtree Magistrate Joshua Nembaware on rape charges. He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody until October 6, 2025.

Prosecutor Sheila Nyathi told the court that on September 9, 2025, around 5 PM, the complainant met Ncube on her way home. He allegedly questioned her about her movements and claimed she was his wife, citing a previous imprisonment for assaulting her.

The court heard that Ncube reportedly slapped the complainant twice and threatened her with a log, forcing her to accompany him to his residence. There, he allegedly confined her to his bedroom and threatened to kill her should she attempt to escape.

Between September 9 and September 13, 2025, the complainant was allegedly forced to have sexual intercourse with Ncube on three separate occasions without her consent. Upon release, he reportedly took her clothes and cell phone as a form of surety, giving her some of his clothes before she left.

On September 20, 2025, Ncube allegedly returned to the complainant's home, forcibly removed a door lock, and threw her clothes inside the sitting room before leaving.

The complainant reported the incidents to police and was referred to Plumtree District Hospital for examination. A medical report has been compiled and is expected to be presented as evidence in court.