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Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for robbing a 73-year-old granny of $87 and attempting to rape her after putting a knife to her throat.

A court heard that Mehluli Ndlovu (31) took the money and cellphone at knife point last month before telling the old woman that he had come to rape her.

Ndlovu pleaded not guilty to robbery and attempted rape charges before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.

However, the magistrate convicted him due to overwhelming evidence against him.

Ndlovu was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Mrs Msipa-Marondedze suspended three years on condition that he does not repeat a similar crime in five years.

The Magistrate said robbery and attempted rape were serious offences which were prevalent and perpetrators should be sent to prison.

“What aggravates this matter is that accused attacked an elderly lady knowing that she could not defend herself and put her through trauma when he dragged her around the house demanding money. He tried to rape her which shows that he has no respect for senior citizens,” Mrs Msipa-Marondedze said.

The elderly woman, who appeared traumatised to face her attacker in court, testified that Ndlovu smashed her bedroom window and told her that he had come to rape her.

She said Ndlovu went into the house through the window, took her cellphone and disconnected the landline. The woman said the accused person then placed a knife on her throat and threatened to kill her.

“He shook me, pushed me onto the bed and tried to rape me, but he failed to penetrate.

“He demanded cash. I gave him $87 but he said it was not enough and started dragging me around the house looking for more money in the cupboards,” she said.

Ndlovu said he broke into the woman’s house but denied attempting to rape her.

“I only threatened her by word of mouth, took the money and her cellphone and left,” he said.

Prosecuting, Miss Concilia Ncube said Ndlovu committed the crime on October 21 this year at around 9PM.

She said Ndlovu smashed the elderly woman’s bedroom window and got inside the room.

Miss Ncube said he then pushed her onto the bed and tried to rape her. He also demanded money and took $87 and her cellphone.

@MondelaC