Zimpapers Logo

Thandeka Moyo  Court Reporter
FOUNTAIN Christian College director Njabulo Sithole, 37, who was dragged to court for allegedly raping and robbing a commercial sex worker was yesterday acquitted.Sithole who also doubles up as a teacher at the college situated in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb was found not guilty by senior regional magistrate Trynos Utahwashe after the woman failed to prove that he was her attacker.

“The court has considered that the woman says she was raped and robbed at around 3AM, while it was still dark and there was no source of light.

“She claimed she did not take time observing her client and that weakens the state’s case,” said Utahwashe.

“He is therefore found not guilty and acquitted.”

Sithole who was represented by Godfrey Nyoni was arrested in a bar some days after the alleged rape. He, however, denied raping or robbing the woman.

The state led by Robin Mukura alleged that on August 4, at around 4AM, the woman was having beer at La Gondola Bar situated at the corner of Robert Mugabe Way and 10th Avenue in the city centre.

Sithole approached the woman and proposed love to her.

The woman accepted and Sithole hired a taxi after indicating to the woman that he wanted to take her to his house.

The court heard that the taxi drove to a bushy area in Paddonhurst and dropped Sithole and the woman.

After the driver left, Sithole pulled out a knife and allegedly took the woman’s Nokia 1208 and raped her once. Sithole then fled leaving the woman behind.

He said the woman immediately made a police report.

On December 15, at around 11.30PM, the woman went to La Gondola bar for some drinks and and after seeing Sithole alerted the police that he was a rapist, leading to his arrest.