Fake truck driver in court for raping 2 elderly women

A 51-year-old man accused of posing as a cross-border truck driver to lure women into secluded areas before allegedly robbing and raping them has appeared before the Masvingo Regional Magistrates' Court facing serious criminal charges.

Lawrence Homerai appeared before Magistrate Archie Wochiunga yesterday charged with rape and robbery following two separate incidents that allegedly occurred in Masvingo on the night of May 25, 2025.

The State, represented by prosecutor Patience Takuva, alleges that Homerai targeted two women in separate attacks near Ndarama High School and Rujeko suburb using the same deceptive "business opportunity" tactic.

According to prosecutors, the first complainant, a 47-year-old beverages vendor from Mvuma, was approached by Homerai, who allegedly claimed he was a cross-border truck driver supplying discounted potatoes and energy drinks from South Africa.

The accused allegedly convinced the woman to travel to Masvingo with promises that they would proceed together to South Africa for business purposes.

The court heard that upon arriving in Masvingo, Homerai allegedly instructed the complainant to accompany him on foot through Chitima Market towards Mucheke suburb, claiming he needed to collect money.

However, prosecutors say the accused later lured the complainant into a secluded area near Exormart Garage, where he allegedly produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab her if she resisted.

The State alleges Homerai stole the complainant's cellphone, US$300 in cash and two long dresses before forcing himself on her without consent.

After the alleged assault, he reportedly ordered the woman to run away.

In a second incident, the court heard that a 42-year-old vendor from the same area was allegedly tricked using a similar business proposal.

Prosecutors allege Homerai lured her into another isolated area where he stole her cellphone, satchel and US$10 before allegedly forcing her into sexual intercourse without consent.

Investigators reportedly established that Homerai used a cellphone registered in another person's name to communicate with both complainants.

The first complainant's stolen property was later recovered, while nothing was recovered in relation to the second complainant.

The accused was arrested at Hokonya Shopping Centre in Chivhu on April 16, 2026.

Both complainants reportedly identified him during an identification parade conducted by CID Masvingo.

In his defence, Homerai denied the allegations and claimed he had been romantically involved with both women.

He told the court that he was medically incapable of engaging in sexual intercourse and alleged that the first complainant became upset after he questioned her over frequent phone calls she was receiving.

Homerai further claimed he only removed the complainant's phone line following an argument and left with the handset.

Regarding the second complainant, he alleged that she knew he was now in a relationship with the first woman and suggested that the two women, who both work in Mvuma, had conspired to fabricate the rape accusations against him.

The matter was postponed to June 9, 2026, for continuation of trial, with Homerai remaining in custody.