Manhunt for 22-year-old man who raped gogo (104)

Police are hunting for a 22-year-old Gokwe man who has gone into hiding after allegedly raping and assaulting a 104-year-old woman.

Batanai Kutsara of Mangisi village under Chief Chireya was supposed to stand trial at Gokwe regional court on Monday but absconded after being granted $100 bail by the High Court last Friday.

Kutsara's failure to appear in court prompted Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Amos Mbobo to issues a warrant for his arrest.

Prosecutor Mr Robert Ndlala alleged that on March 27 this year, the elderly woman was walking with the aid of a stick to her fields when she saw Kutsara and a friend standing by the side of a foot path, while sharing a cigarette.

As she passed by, Kutsara started proposing to her, but she turned him down, arguing that she was past the age of getting into an affair.

The court heard that Kutsara went on to demand sex, but the centenarian declined.

Mr Ndlala said Kutsara, who was not amused by the woman's response, grabbed her walking stick and severely assaulted her all over the body using the stick until she fell unconscious.

Kutsara seized the opportunity and raped her once before leaving her lying helplessly on the ground. Mr Ndlala told the court that the complainant later regained consciousness and she noticed some blood stains from her privates.

She was assisted by fellow villagers who found her lying to the ground.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Kutsara's arrest.