Cops wait for stripped Harare woman’s report

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police said yesterday they cannot arrest the touts that stripped and molested a Harare woman at a commuter omnibus rank last week until she makes a formal complaint.

Police spokesperson chief superintendent Paul Nyathi told New Ziana investigations had been completed and a docket prepared.

Touts, commuter omnibus drivers and conductors at the Fourth Street bus terminus last week stripped and harassed a hapless Harare woman and the pictures went viral on social media platforms, resulting in the police positively identifying some of the culprits.

The woman hasn’t heeded calls by the police to come forward and press charges.

“We’ve identified the kombi owners, conductors, touts and drivers involved. The incident happened at the Fourth Street commuter omnibus rank,” he said.

“We said the girl should come forward and report the matter.

“We’re done with our investigations and if she comes forward we will go to court straight away and they will make sure they give them appropriates sentence,” he added.

“The docket is ready and we’re appealing to the media to help us disseminate information for the girl to come forward for us to proceed with the matter.“

The inhuman sexual abuse and stripping of the woman has drawn the ire of women groups who have since accused the police of not protecting the victim.

Chief Superintendent Nyathi denied the allegations, saying the police had done their part.

He accused some of the women organisations of capitalising on the incident to draw the attention of donors who they siphoned of large amounts of money under the pretext of defending the rights of young girls and boys.

“The problem is some women organisations are now making money through this issue and are attacking us saying we are not protecting the victim,” he said.

“In terms of investigations as police we don’t have problems but when it comes to court proceedings we need to have a police report so that is where we’ve a challenge,” he said.

“However we’re saying kombi owners shouldn’t pay touts money to load kombis but instead the drivers should load kombis on their own, ” he added. – New Ziana.