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Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
A 53-year-old Bulawayo barber allegedly raped a mentally challenged woman and gave her a loaf of bread to buy her silence.

Bernard Muronza, of Thorngrove suburb allegedly bought his victim aged 20 years a bottle of coke and a loaf of bread before raping her.

Muronza appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya facing a rape charge.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded to January 20 on $50 bail.

Prosecuting, Nkathazo Dlodlo, said on December 29 last year between 8AM and 10AM, the complainant left home intending to go for a haircut in Nguboyenja suburb.

“Unfortunately the barber who does her hair wasn’t available and she proceeded to Burombo where there were other barbers operating under a tree. Upon arrival at Burombo grounds, she approached Muronza and paid for the hair cut,” said Dlodlo.

The court heard that after the haircut, Muronza offered to buy her some food at the shops.

Dlodlo said the woman refused but Muronza grabbed her arm and force-marched her to Burombo tuck-shop.

“Muronza still holding her left arm bought a loaf of bread and 300ml bottle of coke and took her to his place of residence in Thorngrove.

He then locked the door before raping her once. After the rape, the accused gave the complainant the loaf of bread and ordered her to go to her house, the court heard.

Dlodlo told the court that when she arrived home, the complainant reported the rape to her guardian who informed her mother.

A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Muronza.