Konet Dube of Mtandawenhema village, under chief Nhlamba allegedly raped the 28-year-old woman (name withheld) more than twice between December 2017 and June 2018.

The matter came to light on June 8 after the woman was not feeling well and visited a local clinic where it was discovered that she was six months pregnant.

Dube allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she revealed the matter to anyone.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Joram Sithole yesterday confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm we received a case of rape by a suspect who has gone into hiding after the discovery of the matter. The man allegedly raped the woman more than twice between the period December 2017 and June 2018.

“The woman only revealed the rape after it was discovered that she was six months pregnant,” he said.

A source that preferred anonymity said Dube first had sexual intercourse with the victim in December after he followed her into the bush where she was fetching firewood.

“He waylaid her and raped her once and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the matter. On the second incident, the suspect again ambushed her while she was fetching water at the river and again raped her. He threatened her with death again.

“There were no dates for the other occasions but on June 8, the victim fell sick and was rushed to a local clinic where it was discovered that she was six months pregnant,” said the source.

The source said the woman revealed the matter and when the suspect heard that he was wanted, he disappeared.

-Source State Media