Deportee nabbed after seven years

A HERDSMAN from Bulilima, who allegedly stole a gun, killed a woman, raped another and robbed a third in 2009 before fleeing to South Africa has been arrested after he was deported from the neighbouring country.

The long arm of the law finally caught up with Joshua Ncube of Madlambuzi last Friday, seven years on, when he arrived in the country with a group that had been deported for illegal migration.

Ncube, a court heard, stole a rifle from a fellow herdsman that he had been assigned to guard a field with.

It is alleged that on the same night Ncube went to a homestead at Ashallow Farm where he knocked on the door purporting to be selling meat.

A lady opened the door and Ncube pointed the rifle at her demanding cash. Ncube failed to get the money and dragged the woman to a nearby bush where he raped her.

He appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate, Mr Gideon Ruvetsa, who remanded him in custody to October 24.

Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said Ncube was arrested on October 7.

She said Ncube committed all the offences in June 2009.