Police in Bulawayo are investigating two cases of rape and robbery where two women were allegedly sexually violated and robbed of their personal property in separate incidents.
Bulawayo provincial deputy spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incidents.
She said the first case occurred on 26 November 2021 at around 6 pm, when the complainant a female adult aged 26 years of Iminyela Bulawayo boarded a Grey Honda Fit, registration number unknown with tinted windows at Iminyela turn off heading to Emganwini township.
“The vehicle had three occupants, two females and a male driver. The female accused persons were seated at the back seat whilst the complainant occupied the front passenger seat. The driver stopped the motor vehicle at revival turn off at a bushy area along Nketa drive, Bulawayo, and slapped the complainant once on the face accusing her of staring at him,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.
She said the perpetrator ordered her to remove her blouse which he used to blindfold her.
“The female accused persons then joined in assaulting the complainant with fists. One of the accused persons searched and took complainant’s cash and a Mobicel Cell phone from her pocket,” said Msebele.
The trio then pushed the complainant out of the car and removed her remaining clothes.
“The female accused person held her hands and legs while the male accused person raped her once without protection. After the act, the accused persons drove off leaving the complainant lying on the ground.
“She later removed the blindfold, dressed up, and proceeded home. On 27 November 2021 at around 0830 hours, the complainant made a report at the police and was referred to Mpilo Hospital for medical examination,” she said.
The second case occurred on 27 November 2021 at around 10 am, the complainant a female adult aged 20 years of Inyathi, who was coming from Inyathi disembarked from a ZUPCO bus at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Fife Street in Bulawayo’s city centre intending to do some shopping before returning to her home.
She then met an unknown female adult who offered her a job in Suburbs.
“They proceeded to their intended destination on foot from the central business district along Harare road and when they were at Josiah Tongogara barracks, they met the accused person a male adult of medium height who demanded money from the two women alleging that they had picked up his money. The unknown female adult who was walking with the complainant then gave the accused person US$50.00, was released and she walked away,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.
“The accused held the complainant by the hand and walked with her from Harare road to Gwanda road into a bushy area near United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH). He forcibly removed the complainant’s trousers and had sexual intercourse with her once without protection and without her consent. The accused then forcibly took cash and an Itel cellphone from the complainant. On the same day at 1200hrs, the complainant made a report.”
Assistant Inspector Msebele said commuters use registered public service vehicles to ensure their safety when travelling.
“We are also appealing to the members of the public who might have information which may lead to the arrest of the accused persons to report at any nearest police station,” she said.
