By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
A 31-year-old Beitbridge man accused wielding a machete on had his trial postponed after saying he was unfit after being subjected to mob justice by people who caught him in the act.
Learnmore Ndlovu appeared before Magistrate Charity Maphosa who postponed his case after he said he had difficulty in breathing.
“I’m not feeling well, while I am talking my breath is being blocked,” said Ndlovu .
The case was postponed to March 17,2026 to allow the accused time to heal and find a lawyer if he wants one.
Prosecutor Mercy Nyathi said the alleged incident occurred on March 6 at around 6PM at Mpande Village under Chief Tshitaudze in Beitbridge.
It is alleged that the complainant, a 38-year-old woman, had gone to a community borehole with her four-year-old son to fetch water when she was approached by Ndlovu.
Initially, Nyathi allege d, Ndlovu proposed a relationship with the complainant’s 16-year-old daughter.
When the woman refused, Ndlovu allegedly threatened her with a machete and forced her into nearby bushes where he allegedly raped her.
The complainant’s daughter later alerted villagers who tracked the pair found with the accused in the act.
The villagers apprehended him before the matter was reported to the police.
The complainant was later referred to Beitbridge District Hospital for medical examination, and the machete allegedly used in the offence is to be produced in court as an exhibit.