A 54-year-old man from a village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane has appeared before the courts on rape charges, after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 38-year-old woman, who is a mental patient.

Darlington Moyo pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga and he was remanded in custody for trial.

Representing the State, prosecutor Lloyd Mavhiza told the court that on a date not known to the prosecutor but during the month of September last year, the complainant was fetching firewood in the bush.

“The complainant left home to fetch firewood in a nearby bush.

While still in the bush, she then met the accused who forced himself on her without her consent,” said Mavhiza.

After raping her, the court heard, Moyo later threatened to kill her if she reported what had happened.

“The matter, however, came to light after the complainant became pregnant and her mother inquired how it had happened.

“The complainant narrated what had transpired to her mother and the matter was reported to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest,” he said.-B-Metro