Harare – A night out turned into a nightmare for a 21-year-old woman, the lover of a well-known local DJ, who was brutally raped, assaulted, and robbed in Glen View on Friday night. The harrowing incident occurred after she disembarked from a taxi, intending to meet her partner at Mashwede Village.
According to police reports, the woman had travelled from Mbare and alighted from the taxi at the intersection of Willowvale and Highglen Road at approximately 11pm. Her intention was to proceed to Mashwede Village, a popular entertainment spot, to meet with the DJ.
As she walked towards Mashwede, she encountered three men standing near a bus stop close to the traffic lights. Mistaking them for acquaintances, she approached them.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the details of the case. “Police are investigating a rape and robbery case,” said Insp Chakanza.
“Complainant was reported to have walked towards the accused persons and they advanced to meet her along High Glen Road.”
It was at this point that the situation took a sinister turn. “One of the accused whispered to complainant that she surrender her Samsung F13 cellphone, a handbag and she should not make any noise,” Insp Chakanza explained. The woman was then threatened with a knife.
“The other accused produced a small knife and threatened to stab complainant if she failed to comply,” Insp Chakanza added.
Forced to comply with their demands, the woman surrendered her valuables. “Complainant complied,” Insp Chakanza confirmed.
The ordeal did not end there. The attackers then forced her to accompany them as they moved away from the main road.
“The accused ordered complainant to follow them as they walked away towards a school in Glen View 7 Extension until they crossed into Glen View 8 through a foot bridge,” said Insp Chakanza.
The woman was led to a secluded location in Glen View 8, where she was subjected to a horrific sexual assault.
“When they reached a secluded place in Glen View 8, one of the accused persons demanded to have sexual intercourse with complainant,” Insp Chakanza stated. “He raped her and further sexually abused her.”
After the brutal act, the assailants continued their robbery. “After the act, accused searched complainant’s handbag and stole her money,” said Insp Chakanza. The total value of the stolen items, including her phone, handbag and cash, is estimated to be US$150.
Police investigations are currently underway. Inspector Chakanza has urged members of the public with any information that could assist in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators to come forward and assist with the investigation.
