25-year-old Bulawayo man rapes cousin sister in a car

A 25-year-old Bulawayo man appeared in court on allegations of raping his 22-year-old cousin inside a car after telling her that he had been admiring her for quite a long time.

The accused, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Shingai Mutiro, charged with rape but pleaded not guilty.He was remanded in custody until today (April 14) for the continuation of the trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari said the allegations are that on March 12 at around 11 PM, the accused person gained entry by jumping the perimeter wall into the complainant’s residence in Thorngrove suburb and knocked on her bedroom window.

“The accused person identified himself and requested that the complainant assist him with attending to the motor vehicle that he claimed had developed a fault,” said Mr Mugari.

The complainant agreed and unlocked the gate. The accused then requested the complainant to accompany him to get fuel at a filling station and they then proceeded to town and briefly passed through Walker’s Night Club before driving to Thorngrove, the court heard.

“Upon arrival at Humbly Road, Thorngrove, the complainant wanted to disembark from the vehicle, but the accused person locked all doors and came to sit at the back seat where the complainant was,” said Mr Mugari.

The court heard that the accused person started telling the complainant that she was beautiful and that he admired her. He went on to forcefully pin her against the seat on her back whilst facing upwards. They wrestled until the complainant fell into the gap between the front and back seats.The accused person then raped her once without protection.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused person and the complainant was referred to hospital for medical examination and a medical report can be produced in court as an exhibit.