Zimbabwean News You Can Trust
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested a 29 year old vendor who plies his trade at Mbare Musika on allegations of raping an eighteen year old woman.
The victim, a resident of Epworth suburb, was reportedly on her menstrual period.
The suspect, Honest Sithole, who also resides in Epworth suburb, allegedly met with Noliet Murehwa at Mbare Musika bus terminus on Saturday afternoon on September the 16th.
According to a report made to the police, Murehwa intended to travel to Chinhoyi on the day in question, but had insufficient money for transportation as Harare to Chinhoyi costs six dollars, whilst she had four United States Dollars, leaving her with a deficit of two dollars.
Upon meeting Sithole at the terminus, whom she then told her story, the suspect is alleged to have offered to give her the two dollars on the condition that she would do his laundry at his place of residence in Epworth.
The duo allegedly agreed on the transaction and shortly afterwards boarded a commuter omnibus to Sithole’s home.
It is alleged that upon arrival and entry into the house, Sithole closed and locked the doors and demanded unprotected sex.
Murehwa reportedly turned down his advances, telling Sithole that she was on her menstrual period. An adamant Sithole is however alleged to have ignored her pleas, forcing himself on her and raping her without protection twice, insisting he didn’t care about sexually transmitted diseases (STD)s.
After the alleged rape, the victim went to the Epworth police station where she filed her report, leading to Sithole’s arrest.
ZRP Harare provincial spokesperson Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the arrest.
“The complainant and the accused are not related. On the 16th of September 2023 and at around 1500 hours, the complainant went to Mbare bus terminus in a bid to go to Chinhoyi. Upon arrival at the terminus, the complainant was charged $6-00 USD but she had $4-00 USD only. The complainant then met the accused who is a vendor at Mbare Musika who offered to give her $2-00 USD on the condition that she washes his clothes at his place of residence. The two boarded a commuter omnibus and they proceeded to house number 97 Komboniyatsva in Epworth.
“On arrival at the accused’s place of residence, the two entered into the house and the accused locked the door from inside. The complainant asked why he was doing that but the accused person did not answer her. The accused pushed the complainant who fell on top of the blankets which were on the floor and he wrestled with her in a bid to have sex with her but the complainant was resisting telling him that she was on her menstrual period but the accused did not listen to her.
“The struggle continued for about 30 minutes until the complainant was now tired and she pleaded with the accused to at least wear a condom but the accused replied saying that AIDS is common and he was not scared to get it. The accused eventually overpowered the complainant and removed her blood soaked pant which he threw away and he forcibly inserted his erect and unprotected penis into the complainant’s vagina.
“He had sex with her without her consent. After about 45 minutes, he had sexual intercourse with the complainant again without her consent. The complainant screamed for help but no one heard her. After the act, the complainant proceeded to ZRP Epworth where she filed a report of rape,” reads the docket.
