A female teacher was robbed at knifepoint after an intruder allegedly broke into her bedroom at a teachers’ residence at Mleja Primary School, police have said.
The incident occurred at around 3 am on 6 March while the teacher was asleep in her room within the school premises.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the woman was awakened by suspicious noise coming from her window before realising that an unknown man had already entered her bedroom.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube said the suspect demanded the teacher’s mobile phone.
“The complainant reported that she was awakened by a noise at the window. When she woke up and switched on the lights, she saw a male person who was not known to her already inside her bedroom,” said Insp Dube.
Police say the suspect allegedly demanded the teacher’s phone, but she initially refused to hand it over.
“He demanded her cellphone and she refused to give him the cellphone. He slapped her once on the face and threatened to kill her with a knife. She still refused to surrender the phone and screamed in order to alert other teachers,” Insp Dube said.
The suspect then allegedly assaulted her again before taking the phone by force.
“She was slapped for the second time before the cellphone was forcibly taken from her. The unknown person, who was holding a knife, forced the complainant to give him the password and she complied,” she added.
Police said the commotion alerted other teachers who live at the institution.
“At that moment there was commotion and other teachers woke up to check what was happening. Upon seeing these developments, the suspect ran out of the house and disappeared,” Insp Dube said.
The teacher did not sustain visible injuries in the incident, police said.
The stolen phone, identified as an Itel S25, is valued at about $180.
Insp Dube said the matter had been reported to police and investigations were under way.
“We are appealing for anyone with information that may lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect to contact their nearest police station,” she said.
An anonymous source who lives at the institution confirmed the incident and said they saw a man running from the area during the commotion.
“During the commotion I saw a man running away from the area carrying an axe, although I could not confirm whether he was the same suspect involved in the robbery,” the source said.
The source said the incident had been reported immediately to police so that investigations could begin.
“Incidents like this are very disturbing for both teachers and learners, and we hope the authorities will be able to identify the suspect and ensure that the school remains a safe environment for everyone,” the source added.
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