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Nokusa Masuku Court Reporter
TWO Bulawayo men allegedly kidnapped a 25-year-old woman from the city centre in broad daylight and drove off with her to Lobengula suburb where they gang-raped her.

The woman endured a two hour ordeal during which Hardlife Ndlovu, 30, of Emakhandeni suburb and his accomplice Mkhululi Mafusi, 28, from Trenance took turns to rape her four times.

The duo grabbed the victim from the city centre on Thursday last week, after warning her not to scream.

Ndlovu and Mafusi appeared before Provincial magistrate Willard Maphios Moyo facing a kidnap and rape charge.

They were not asked to plead and remanded in custody to May 14.

Prosecuting Mufaro Mageza told the court that on Thursday afternoon, the woman was walking in the city centre near the intersection of 10th Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Street when the two men drove up to her and introduced themselves.

The State alleged that they threatened to harm her should she make noise.

Paralysed with fear, the woman stood rooted to the spot.

“Suddenly Ndlovu sprang from the car, grabbed the woman and dragged her into the vehicle. Mafusi drove off to Lobengula where on arrival, they force marched her into an empty room,” said Mageza.

He said Ndlovu removed the woman’s top and started fondling her breasts.

The court heard that the duo ordered the woman not to scream and Ndlovu went on to completely undress the woman.

Ndlovu allegedly laid her on a blanket which was on the floor. The pair took turns to rape the woman and she only managed to escape at around 5PM.

She reported the matter to the police leading to Ndlovu and Mafusi’s arrest.