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'Good man' tells of gang raid
05/09/2005 22:38 - (SA)
Nkosana ka Makaula
Nelspruit - John Nkuna (not his real name) was someone who cared for his neighbours, but his kindness resulted in him being robbed and his common-law wife being raped by five men.
Surprise Mkhatshwa, 29, and Sifiso Mthombothi, 28, both of Daantjie, outside Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, appeared in Nelspruit magistrate's court on Monday.
They have pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery and rape.
Nkuna, whose real identity could not be revealed so as to protect his wife's name, testified that Mkhatshwa knocked at the door to his single-room house about 21:00 on June 30 2003 and asked for help.
He said: "I knew his voice. I grew up with him. We were friends."
Men demanded money
He said he once gave Mkhatshwa R8 when he asked him for money to buy mealie meal.
He said: "I had only R8 on me and I gave it to him."
He said that when he opened the door to Mkhatshwa, four other men appeared, drew guns and forced him back into his home.
When they demanded money, he said he didn't have any, but they didn't believe him, because it was month-end.
When he continued to insist he had no money, the gang took clothing, shoes, kitchen utensils, and an iron and put everything into three travelling bags.
Men 'satisfied themselves with wife'
A clearly distraught Nkuna said: "When they could not get any money from me, Mkhatshwa said they would have to satisfy themselves with my wife."
He said the gangsters took turns going outside to rape her.
Nkuna escaped through a window and went to get help.
At the police identity parade, Nkuna could identify only Mkhatshwa and Mthombothi, so three other suspects were released.
The case was postponed to October 25 and the two accused were remanded.
- African Eye
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