Raped woman infected with STI, loses womb

A 33-YEAR-OLD Mangwe woman contracted a sexually transmitted infection before having her womb removed after developing an infection following a rape ordeal.

The woman, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, was allegedly raped by Christopher Nyika (49) of Murehwa. Nyika pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape charges when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira last week. He was remanded out of custody to 16 June on $100 bail for continuation of trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Pearson Chekeya said Nyika who works at Antelope Mine in Maphisa allegedly raped the woman twice in September 2013. He said the woman developed an infection which worsened causing her to have her womb removed in 2016.

“On a date unknown but in September 2013 Nyika and the woman together with other Zanu-PF supporters went to Kafusi to attend a rally using Nyika’s car. Upon their return they stopped at Maphisa Growth Point where they had beer drinks until 11pm. The other party supporters proceeded to their homes and left Nyika and the woman behind. Nyika offered to give her a lift home as she was heavily intoxicated and along the way he stopped the vehicle. He took advantage that the woman was drunk and raped her while they were in the car. Nyika then drove the woman home and went away,” he said.

Mr Chekeya said about three days later the woman developed a rash on her private parts and told Nyika about it. He offered to take her to hospital and as they drove along Bulawayo-Maphisa Road, Nyika stopped along the way and raped her once.

He said the woman tried to scream but Nyika threatened her. Mr Chekeya said the woman remained quiet about the matter.

“The following day the woman went to Maphisa District Hospital where she was treated of rash and recovered. Two weeks later the woman developed an infection. She also discovered that Nyika had infected her with a sexually transmitted disease. She had her womb removed in June 2016 as a result of the infection. She reported the matter to the police on 12 August 2016 resulting in Nyika’s arrest,” said Mr Chekeya.

In her statement in court the woman who was occasionally breaking into tears while narrating what transpired said she could not resist when Nyika tried to rape her on the first occasion as she was heavily intoxicated. She said during the second incident she was afraid to scream as Nyika had threatened her.

She said upon realising that she had an infection she fled to South Africa in April 2014 out of fear of being confronted by her husband. She said she tried to have the infection treated while she was in South Africa but her efforts were fruitless. The woman said she later returned in 2016 and had her womb removed at the United Bulawayo Hospitals because of the infection. She said she narrated what had transpired to her husband and then made a police report.