Commuters robbed, raped

POLICE in Harare are investigating four cases of robbery, involving commuters, which occurred last week.

In one incident, a 22-year-old man was robbed of US$50, a cellphone and some personal documents after boarding an unregistered Honda Fit destined for the Harare CBD at Puma Service Station, along Ardbennie Road.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident.

“The vehicle had four occupants, one man and three women,” he said.

“Along the way, the suspects diverted the route before robbing the complainant of his valuables and forcing him to have sexual intercourse with one of the female suspects.”

Ass-Comm Nyathi said in another incident a complainant was kidnapped.

The other incident occurred in Marlborough on June 7, in which the victim, a man (20), was robbed of US$40, a wallet and a cell phone after he was offered a lift in a Honda Fit vehicle which had five occupants, two men and three women, destined for Avonlea, Harare,” he said.

“The suspects kidnapped the complainant and took him to an unknown house where they slept together and later released him on June 8 at around 3pm.”

Ass-Comm Nyathi added that a man (50) lost US$500 cash, a cellphone and bank cards to 10 suspects, six women and four men, after boarding an unregistered white Toyota Hiace near the ZUPCO garage, along Gleneagles Rd, going into the CBD.

He warned members of the public not to board private transport as people were being robbed and kidnapped.

Meanwhile, police in Kadoma arrested Jealous Mathonsi (29) for a robbery case that occurred on June 10.

“The suspect, together with his accomplice only known as Mozi, pounced at a house in New Ingezi, while armed with machetes and knives,” Ass Comm Nyathi said.

“They assaulted two complainants with machetes and stabbed one of the complainants twice on the left leg before stealing 6 x 50 kilogrammes of gold sand.

“Detectives reacted swiftly after receiving the report and intercepted Mathonsi at Ingezi Shopping Centre and he tried to attack police officers with a machete.

“Police fired warning shots with an AK-47 rifle, however, the suspect kept advancing, resulting in him getting shot in the arm that was holding the machete.”