“Good Samaritan” In Court Allegedly For Raping Four Women

A Bulawayo man has appeared in court facing four counts of rape after allegedly targeting stranded women under the guise of helping them find transport.

Alphios Chitsa, 42, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Taurai Manuwere on Tuesday. He was not asked to plead to the charges.

Prosecutor Concilia Ncube told the court the first incident happened on 11 February 2026 at around 9 pm.

The complainant had been walking along Luveve Road from the old bus terminus, known locally as Renkini, looking for transport to Lobengula West when she was approached.

The State allege Chitsa offered to help her find a lift before luring her to a bushy area behind Mpilo Central Hospital, where he sexually assaulted her.

“The accused approached the complainant and offered to help carry her sack of green mealies,” said Ncube.

“He told her he was also looking for transport and suggested they walk together to Emachipsini in Mzilikazi, where transport was readily available.”

Instead, prosecutors said, Chitsa steered the woman in the direction of Mpilo Central Hospital before coaxing her into nearby bushes.

“Upon reaching the secluded area, the accused raped the complainant and stole her cellphone,” Ncube said.

The matter was reported to the police, and the complainant later picked out Chitsa during an identification parade.

In the second case, the court heard that on 16 March at around 4 pm, Chitsa approached an 18-year-old woman in Bulawayo’s city centre. He asked her to go with him to Mpilo Central Hospital, claiming his mother had been admitted there.

After the pair travelled by commuter omnibus, he allegedly took the complainant to a bushy area behind the hospital and raped her. He then dragged her to an abandoned room and raped her again, prosecutors said.

“He only released the complainant the following morning,” Ncube told the court.

The court further heard that on 4 June at around 10 pm, Chitsa met a 22-year-old woman near the Tredgold Building after she had failed to find transport to Nyamandlovu.

He allegedly offered her a place to stay for the night, then claimed he had left his vehicle at Mpilo Central Hospital.

“Upon arrival, he produced an Okapi knife, raped the complainant in a bushy area and later took her to an abandoned room where he raped her again,” Ncube said.

In the fourth incident, the court heard that at about 10 pm on 4 June, Chitsa found a 22-year-old woman near the Tredgold Building who was struggling to get transport to Nyamandlovu.

He allegedly offered her overnight accommodation before saying his car was at Mpilo Central Hospital.

“The accused attempted to rape the complainant twice, but she resisted until he eventually abandoned his attempts,” Ncube told the court.

Chitsa was remanded in custody to 6 July 2026 for his next court appearance.

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