Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
TWO more suspects who were part of a gang that committed a string of robberies and rapes at homes in and around the city have been arrested.
This brings to four the number of suspects arrested in connection with the cases.
On Tuesday, brothers Fortune Ngoshi (32) and Pride Ngoshi (29) appeared before Harare Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka, charged with 24 counts of rape, aggravated indecent assault and robbery and were remanded in custody.
Their other two accomplices have since been arrested by detectives from CID Homicide in Harare and are expected to appear in court.
The State alleges that between June 19 and June 28, the pair, acting in the company of their accomplices, targeted several households in Harare, while armed with pistols, machetes, knives and other weapons.
In one of the incidents, the court heard, the gang allegedly forced its way into a Whitecliff home, robbing the household of cash, groceries and household property worth hundreds of US dollars. Prosecutors further allege that during the robbery, several women and girls were sexually assaulted, while others were robbed of cellphones, cash and other valuables.
Some of the women and girls are juveniles whose identities are being withheld in accordance with the law.
The State also alleges that the gang stole numerous cellphones, laptops, watches, groceries and other household items from other homes.
In one of the incidents, the gang allegedly made away with property worth more than US$2 800, while another complainant reportedly lost over US$1 600 in cash and valuables.
Police investigations led to the recovery of some of the stolen property, including cellphones, a laptop battery and a pistol allegedly used during the commission of one of the offences.
However, some of the property is yet to be recovered.
