Serial rapist in court, up for 8 counts
A SUSPECTED serial rapist, who was arrested for a spate of teenage rapes and robberies in Glen View, appeared in court yesterday.
Chrispen Bonda, 35, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa facing eight counts of rape and robbery.
Bonda allegedly targeted teens between the ages of 11 and 16 years.
Allegations are that Bonda broke into a house on February 1, last year where a 13-year-old girl was sleeping in the dining room with her brother, while their parents were in their bedroom. Bonda allegedly held a knife to the girl’s ear and ordered her to remain silent. He forced her out of the house to a nearby house under construction and raped her.
The child told her parents who went with her to file a report at the Glen View Police Station.
On October 7 last year, a 10-year-old girl was sleeping with her mother and two siblings when she found herself outside in their neighbour’s unfinished house at around 2.30am.
Bonda was holding a knife and threatened to kill her. He raped her and only released her when her mother started calling her.
The child told her mother what happened and the mother discovered that her gas tank, $2 000 and two cellphones were missing. The main door had also been broken down.
On December 20 last year, Bonda broke into a house, produced a knife, ordered everyone in the house to cover their heads if they didn’t want to die, and raped a 14-year-old girl.
He stole a gas tank, kitchen knife and cellphone, and then fled.
Bonda is said to have raped a 15-year-old girl he found sleeping in the kitchen with her sister after breaking into the house.
On December 28, he raped an 11-year-old girl after kicking the door open and switching off the lights while holding a knife.
He ordered everyone in the house to cover their heads and remain silent. He ransacked the house and took a television set and a cellphone. He told them the loot was too little and then raped the girl.
He raped another 11-year-old on New Year’s Eve and a 16-year-old girl.
His eighth victim was a 13-yearold on January 19, whom he raped at a nearby school.
Godswish Dzivakwi prosecuted.