FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO-A fake 51 year old truck driver, Lawrence Homerai appeared before Magistrate Archie Wochiunga at the Masvingo Regional Magistrates’ Court yesterday facing rape and robbery charges.
The State, represented by Prosecutor Patience Takuva told the court that Homerai allegedly attacked two women on the night of 25 May 2025 in separate bush areas near Ndarama High School and Rujeko suburb, Masvingo.
According to the State, the first complainant, a 47-year-old beverages vendor from Mvuma, was approached by Homerai under the pretext of a business transaction.
Homerai, claiming to be a cross-border truck driver frequently supplying South African discounted potatoes and energy drinks.
The accused reportedly lured the complainant to come to Masvingo so that they can proceed to South Africa.
Upon reaching Masvingo, the accused ordered the complainant to accompany him to Mucheke surbub via Chitima market on foot where he wanted to leave some cash.
Upon reaching Mucheke flats, the accused lured the complainant to a secluded area on their way to Exormart Garage where he produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab her if she did not comply with his demands.
The complainant’s cellphone, cash amounting to US$300 and two long dresses were allegedly stolen by the accused. He then forced her to lay on the side of the road, undressed her and had unprotected sexual intercourse without her consent. After the assault, he reportedly told her to run away.
In a similar incident, the second complainant, a 42-year-old vendor from the same area, was also allegedly deceived by Homerai using the same “business transaction” ruse. She was lured to another secluded area, where the accused allegedly stole her cellphone, satchel and cash of US$10 before forcing her into sexual intercourse without consent.
Police investigations revealed that Homerai had been using a cellphone registered to a third party to contact both victims.
The first complainant’s stolen property was eventually recovered while nothing was recovered from the second victim.
The accused was arrested at Hokonya Shopping Centre, Chivhu, on 16 April 2026.
Both complainants positively identified him during an identification parade at CID Masvingo.
In his defence, Homerai told the court that he was in a love affair with both women. He claimed he was medically incapable of sexual intercourse and alleged that the first complainant became angry when he inquired about frequent phone calls she received.
He further explained that he had only removed the first complainant’s phone line after an argument and went away with the phone.
Homerai also told the court that he was initially in love with the second complainant, who knew he was now in a relationship with the first complainant.
According to him, the women know each other as they both work in Mvuma and allegedly planned to fabricate the rape charges against him.
The matter was postponed to 9 June 2026 for continuation of the trial, with the accused remaining in custody.
