Harare, Zimbabwe - A PROMINENT Norton prophet had what was supposed to be a romantic picnic spoilt by an unknown assailant who stabbed him more than 10 times before attempting to rape his girlfriend last week.
King Makoni (31) is now battling for his life at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare while his girlfriend, Hilda Zombe (18), is recovering from the shock of the attempted rape.
Mashonaland West acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the incident, which he said happened along the Chivero-Dhawu Road.
“The man is at Parirenyatwa Hospital and is in a critical condition while his girlfriend is recovering from the shock of attempted rape,” said Assistant Inspector Kohwera.
According to police, Makoni decided to treat his teenage girlfriend to an outdoor meal and chose an isolated spot on the outskirts of Norton as the venue for the picnic.
King then hired a car from a man only identified as Tendai who drove them to the venue.
Tendai left both the lovebirds and his car at the picnic venue and took a walk to allow them time to enjoy themselves.
As the couple dined and cuddled, an unknown man wearing blue overalls approached them and stabbed King with an Okapi knife.
King fell unconscious after he had been stabbed more than 10 times in the neck, upper body and arms. The attacker then turned to Hilda and demanded sex but she escaped. The assailant then made off with Tendai’s car keys and a satchel containing books.
“Hilda escaped and rushed to Norton police where she reported the case. Police went to the scene of the incident and King was rushed to hospital,” said Assistant Inspector Kohwera.
A member of an Apostolic sect, King is a well-known prophet in Norton who curiously has a penchant for playing hip hop and R‘n’B music on his car radio.