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ULAWAYO regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira yesterday further postponed to 28 November the trial of a Makokoba man who allegedly raped a paralysed shebeen queen. This was after the accused had engaged a lawyer to defend his case.
The woman, who moves around on a wheelchair, was allegedly raped at her home by Mr Nobert Zingovo, 26, a patron she had offered accommodation overnight. Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Dzipe, told the court how Zingovo tackled the victim as she wheeled herself from the toilet shortly after midnight on 21 August.
Mr Zingovo, of Makokoba suburb, is denying the charge of rape and he has since engaged a lawyer, Mr Tanaka Muganyi of Dube Banda and Partners. He told the court he was being framed.
The magistrate heard how Mr Zingovo had knocked back a few beers before asking his host for a place to sleep at the shebeen in the same suburb.
Preparations were made for him to sleep in the kitchen. But shortly after midnight, the victim went to the toilet, which required her to pass through the kitchen, Mr Dzipe said. “On her way back Mr Zingovo grabbed the complainant by the neck before dragging her into his blankets,” the prosecutor continued.
“He then pinned the victim down, tore her panty and raped her once resulting in the complainant bleeding profusely.”
After the alleged attack, said the prosecutor, Mr Zingovo slid back into his blankets and fell asleep.
His alleged victim dragged herself to the bedroom where she reported the attack to her granddaughter, who in turn called their neighbours.
Police fished Mr Zingovo out of his blankets and arrested him.
In his defence, Mr Zingovo argued that the alleged victim consented to sex.