BULAWAYO – Three inmates at Bulawayo Prison appeared in court Tuesday accused of raping another prisoner.
Bhekimpilo Sinyoro, 30, Thabo Ncube, 24, and Arnold Chemhere, 29, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Joseph Mabeza charged with rape.
The 20-year-old victim, currently incarcerated at Bulawayo Prison, told police that during a power outage at around 9PM on December 29 last year he was sexually assaulted by the trio.
The National Prosecuting Authority represented by Dominic Moyo said that Sinyoro approached the victim and invited him to sleep closer to him. After the victim declined, Sinyoro returned with Ncube, and both men forcibly dragged the complainant to their sleeping area.
Once there, the victim was made to lie on his side, and Chemhere allegedly covered his face with a blanket, pressing him down.
Upon seeing that the victim was not co-operating, Sinyoro allegedly unbuttoned his shirt, and with the help of Ncube and Chemhere, forcibly removed his shorts. Sinyoro then proceeded to sodomize the victim.
When the victim managed to free himself, the trio offered him rice and beans.
Ncube has a prior conviction for malicious damage to property and is set to finish his sentence on February 1, 2025.
Chemhere was convicted of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances, and Sinyoro had recently completed a 30-day sentence for theft. He was arrested on his way out of prison.
The three men were remanded in custody to January 25 awaiting trial.
The trio are represented by lawyer Takunda Chipisa.
