Police at Jenda in Mzimba have arrested Aubrey Mhango 30, on suspicion that he raped a woman at a certain lodge within Jenda trading centre after falsefully presenting himself as a tomato seller to the woman as she came at Jenda to buy tomatoes.

The arrest on March 11, 2025 follows a complaint made by the woman at Jenda Police Station that the suspect raped her.

It has been established that the woman who stays outside Jenda came at the trading on Sunday to buy tomatoes in bulk as thus her business, met the suspect who told her that his wife sells tomatoes on wholesale and if she would fail to buy enough at the market, she should call him so that his wife can sell her in a bulk.

Later that day, the woman called him, and the suspect told her that they should meet at a certain lodge, where she was going to meet him and his wife to discuss business, as this is how they usually conducted their business.

When the woman arrived at the lodge, she was surprised to only have found the man, who, upon entering the room, locked the door, grabbed her, threw her on the bed, and forced himself on her while also telling the woman that if she screamed, he would deal with her.

After he had finished, he told the woman that he was lying about the tomatoes; all he wanted was her, and he left the room, leaving her in shock.

The woman reported to Jenda Police station after the ordeal, and when she was referred to the hospital for examination, forced sexual intercourse was proven positive.

Aubrey Mhango who hails from Msekenge village, Traditional Authority Mwalweni in Rumphi district, has been charged with rape contrary to section 132 of the penal code and will be taken to court soon upon completion of paperwork to answer his charges.