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Mpumelelo Nyoni Court Reporter
A 20-YEAR-OLD man from Pumula South in Bulawayo allegedly kidnapped and then raped his 14-year-old girlfriend after spending a night with her.
Thembelani Hlongwane yesterday appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sheunesi Chitova facing kidnapping and rape charges.

Prosecuting, Kingston Mukanganwi told the court that Hlongwane forcibly took the girl while she was selling her aunt’s wares.
“On August 16, at about 12PM (the girl) was at her vending place in Habbek, Pumula South when Hlongwane went to her and dragged her to his house,” said Mukanganwi.

The court heard that Hlongwane locked his victim in his house and raped her before releasing her the following morning.
He was granted $300 bail and remanded to September 5.

The teenager first said that she did not know him before admitting that they were in a relationship.
“She at first alleged that she didn’t know Hlongwane when she was interviewed by prosecutors. However, she later admitted that she was emotionally involved with Hlongwane. She also admitted that the main reason she alleges she was raped is because she hadn’t consented to sex on the day of the incident,” said Mukanganwi.