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The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) is concerned with the rising number of rape cases perpetrated by public transporters, especially kombi crews.
This followed numerous reports of cases where commuters were being kidnapped and raped by kombi crews in various towns across the country.
The latest report was the arrest of a 39-year-old Harare man, Joseph Kaseke, who allegedly teamed up with a kombi crew to kidnap and rape a passenger they picked up in July.
He has since appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe charged with rape and kidnapping.
It is alleged that Kaseke gave the woman $1,30 for transport.
In a statement yesterday, PAZ president Tafadzwa Goliati said it was disheartening to note that some of the victims were juveniles.
“PAZ bemoans the rise in rape cases committed by kombi crews,” said Mr Goliati.
“Some of the victims are as young as 14, showing the callousness, arrogance, heartlessness and amorality of the perpetrators of these attacks.
“PAZ is against any form of violence against women.
“Therefore, it is worrisome to read of cases of rape and kidnapping that have occurred in places as diverse as Bulawayo, Harare and Masvingo, involving commuter omnibus crews.”
Mr Goliati urged kombi owners to thoroughly vet their employees during recruitment.
He said this would go a long way in ridding the sector of criminal elements.
“The sector should have a vibrant code of conduct, which will act as a stitch in time that saves nine,” he said.
“As PAZ, we are concerned that women passengers have become extremely vulnerable especially when travelling alone at night.
“Inasmuch as extreme caution including boarding registered passenger service vehicles at designated bus ranks needs to be exercised, we call upon kombi crews to desist from any form of sexual attack against female passengers as the wrath of the law will be visit upon them.”
Meanwhile, two Waterfalls men allegedly took turns to rape their neighbour’s four-year-old daughter, a Harare magistrate heard on Wednesday.
The accused, aged 24 and 21, respectively, appeared before Ms Bianca Makwande facing rape charges.
They were remanded in custody to September 21.
Ms Makwande advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.
Prosecuting, Mr Peter Kachirika alleged that on August 5 this year, the pair lured the juvenile girl to their house and led her into the bedroom.
The pair helped each other to undress the minor and laid her on the bed.
The older accused allegedly raped the minor first while his alleged accomplice watched.
After the sexual assault, the pair ordered the girl to dress up and threatened her not to tell anyone.
The court heard that the girl later told her mother what had happened leading to the arrest of the pair.
Online Reporter