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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

A 32-YEAR-OLD man from Tshitaudze suburb in Beitbridge has been sentenced to an effective 24 years in prison for robbing and raping a commercial sex worker at knifepoint.

Moses Mukonowenzou denied charges of robbery and rape when he appeared before Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa but was convicted based on the strength of the State’s evidence.

For the charge of robbery, Mukonowenzou was sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison, while he received a 15-year sentence for rape. The sentences will run consecutively, resulting in an effective 24-year jail term.

Prosecuting, Mr Willbrought Muleya said on 9 January this year, during a rainstorm, the accused, who was known to the complainant, went to her house seeking sexual services.

Mukonowenzou knocked on the window of the house, asking the complainant to open the door for transactional sex.

Upon entering the house, Mukonowenzou grabbed the woman by her neck and strangled her, demanding money and her cell phone.

The complainant handed over R200 and a Nokia C10 cellphone, with a total value of R800.

After robbing her, Mukonowenzou raped the complainant while armed with an Okapi knife, threatening to fatally stab her if she screamed to alert neighbours.

Following the assault, Mukonowenzou ordered the victim to open the door for him before leaving the premises.

As soon as he left, the woman informed another tenant about the incident and was advised to report the matter to the police. The authorities swiftly arrested Mukonowenzou.