A 27-year-old woman from Borrowdale has endured a horrific ordeal after being gang raped at gunpoint by three men in Harare on Saturday. Tragically, her two young daughters, aged just five months and two years, are also believed to have been sexually assaulted by the assailants.
The harrowing incident began when the mother left her home to buy airtime at the intersection of Harare Drive and Alpes Road. Carrying her five-month-old daughter on her back and her two-year-old on her shoulders, she was returning home when she encountered the three unidentified men at the bridge near Pomona Quarry Stones.
In a swift and brutal attack, the men tripped her, causing her to fall to the ground. They took turns assaulting her, and the situation escalated to include her children as well. The distressing nature of the assault has shocked the local community and raised urgent concerns about safety in the area.
After the attack, the woman managed to return home, where she recounted the terrifying experience to her husband. Together, they promptly lodged a police report, seeking justice for the heinous crime committed against them.
Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the disturbing details of the case. “Police are investigating a rape case involving a mother and her two babies in Borrowdale,” he stated. He elaborated on the chilling circumstances of the attack, revealing that one of the assailants had pointed an unidentified pistol at the woman’s forehead while the others assaulted her.
“One of the accused persons ordered the complainant to keep quiet and they lifted her together with her kids and laid them on the grass,” said Insp Chakanza. The police spokesperson indicated that the assailants did not use any protection during the assaults, further compounding the trauma experienced by the victims.
Once the attack was over, the perpetrators instructed the woman to get up and walk away without looking back, a command she complied with in fear for her life. The three men then vanished into the darkness, leaving the victims in a state of shock and devastation.
Following the incident, the family was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for medical examinations, where they received the necessary care. The community is left grappling with the implications of such a brutal crime, as residents express their fear and anger over the rising incidents of violence against women and children.
This tragic case has highlighted the urgent need for increased security measures in Harare, particularly in areas where families expect to feel safe. Local leaders and advocacy groups are calling for more action to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that justice is served for victims of such heinous acts.
As the investigation unfolds, the police are appealing for any information that may lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as collective efforts are essential in combating the scourge of gender-based violence.
