Beitbridge rapist caught after police follow shoe ...

Beitbridge rapist caught after police follow shoe traces

Zim Now Writer

A 33-year-old Beitbridge man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a 38-year-old woman who was on her way to a funeral.

The National Prosecuting Authority said the accused person appeared from the bush armed with a sjambok and assaulted three women who were on their way to a funeral in Chief Staudze’s area on March 9 2024 at around 8:30pm.

The three women fled in different directions, but the accused followed the complainant and snatched her cellphone and demanded to have sex with her at knifepoint.

In a statement, the NPA said the accused threatened to kill her if she made noise.

He then fled the scene after raping the complainant.

“When the complainant’s companion found her, she told them what had happened. They went to the funeral where the elders assisted them in reporting the incident to the police.

“The accused person was arrested after they tracked his shoe tracks, leading to his residence,” the NPA said.

The police recovered the stolen cellphone, okapi knife and shoes he was wearing when he committed the crime.