MAKONDE – Three grannies say they are no longer safe in their homes after a middle-aged man terrorized them last week. The unknown man tried to rape three women, aged between 61 and 74, but his attempts were prevented by members of the community.

Villagers tried to apprehend him, but he escaped and apparently vanished into thin air. Although the matter has not yet been reported to the police, villagers have vowed that they will not rest until the man is found.

“We don’t feel safe in our yards. Our lives are always in danger because of this man who prowls around the village to satisfy his sexual desire. He never attempts to rape young ladies - he only needs old women,” said one of the victims, Tshinakaho Matoro (74).

She said the man came to her home on Tuesday last week. “I was alone in broad daylight when he came to my house. He looked very innocent and he complained about the cold winter. He the asked me for drinking water and when I was handing the water to him, he tried to make some sexual advances towards me. I screamed and he dropped the water and ran away. By the time community members came, he was already gone.”

Tshinakaho said she heard that the man has also attempted to rape two old ladies at their homes, on the same day.

“Although my eyes are no longer functioning properly, I could see that the man was wearing a brown jersey. He is middle aged and not very tall. He speaks Tshivenda fluently and he is also kind and handsome.”

Another victim, who also escaped the rape, Salina Tshifura (68) said the man came to her home and found her in her mud hut. “I went out and without any greetings, he openly told me that he wanted to sleep with me. He tried to force himself on me, but I screamed. He was terrified by my screams and he ran away before he could rape me. I warn other elders to be aware of this man because they may end up becoming victims of rape.”

The Chairperson of Makonde Civic Association, Mr Fhatuwani Manyatshe said he was not aware of the incidents, but he promised to work with members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) to address the problem.