Nkosentsha Khumalo
In a shocking turn of events, a woman from Matobo District in Matabeleland South province, allegedly raped by three men, demanded a goat as compensation, refusing US$40 cash offered as settlement by the perpetrators.
The woman, Pretty Ncube (40), claims she was gang raped while unconscious after drinking home-brewed beer, isigodokhaya, with her alleged attackers at a homestead in Magadla village, Matobo.
The case took a turn as the accused faced trial.
Lucky Ncube (21) and David Ndlovu appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Dambudzo Malunga and were acquitted of the rape charge, while another accused, Musawakhe Mthunzi (21), was released on bail and later died while out of custody. The fourth suspect, Ignetious Tshuma, remains at large.
The state prosecutor alleged that sometime in July 2021, David Ndlovu, Musawakhe Mthunzi (21), Lucky Ncube (21), and Ignetious Tshuma were consuming isigodokhaya at Japhet Mthunzi’s residence in Magadla village.
The night continued with beer drinking until around 9 pm, when Pretty Ncube (40) arrived and joined the group. She allegedly drank with the men until she passed out at Mthunzi’s residence.
On the night in question, Ndlovu reportedly bid farewell to the group and returned to his homestead.
The State led evidence that, the remaining guests slept over at the homestead after being provided with blankets.
It is alleged that Ndlovu had returned to Japhet Mthunzi’s homestead on the very same night, unnoticed.
Upon waking up the next morning, the guests were shocked to find Pretty naked, with semen around her private parts. She was also sleeping next to Ndlovu, who had supposedly left the night before.
Pretty, upon waking reportedly panicked, questioning how she had become naked and who had removed her pants and trousers.
Ndlovu, who had also woken up naked beside Lucky, pointed the finger of blame at Tshuma and Mthunzi, revealing that the duo had taken turns raping Pretty while she was unconscious during the night.
The truth only emerged after the elders confronted the accused over the allegations of the overnight rape.
In an attempt to resolve the situation, the accused men offered Pretty a cash compensation of US$40 as a way to make amends for their actions.
However, Pretty staunchly refused this offer, insisting instead that she be compensated with a goat.
Her demand was based on her belief that a goat would be a more appropriate compensation for the trauma she had endured, given that the men had allegedly raped her in a gang.
Tshuma, who was reluctant to offer the goat as compensation, fled the scene and is still at large. The matter was subsequently reported to the Matobo police, who apprehended Lucky Ncube, Ndlovu and Musawakhe Mthunzi in connection with the rape allegations.
Mthunzi was subsequently released on bail after appearing in court. Unfortunately, he died while out of custody, leaving Lucky and Ndlovu as the suspects in the case.
During appearance in court, the state proved beyond reasonable doubt that the two accused persons were not guilty of the rape charge
The Magistrate took into consideration the untimely death of one of the accused, who had been released on bail.
Another accused was on the run, making it challenging to locate and bring them to justice. Also, both Ndlovu and Lucky vehemently denied the allegations leveled against them, maintaining their innocence throughout.
Ndlovu maintained that Mthunzi and Tshuma had taken turns in raping the complainant.
The victim’s request for a goat as compensation for the alleged rape also gave the Magistrate a pause, as it raised questions about her motives and potential involvement in the crime.
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