Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
Herald Correspondent
A 42-YEAR-OLD was abducted by his neighbours, assaulted and coerced into withdrawing money after being accused of having a relationship with a 14-year-old girl.
The incident involved his captors also threatening to unleash a pit bull on him if he refused to comply.
It occurred on July 26 in Ruwa where Stanley Munhungeyi was allegedly ambushed by his neighbours, Etheline Mudare (35) and her husband Prosper Mbengo (35), before being bundled into a car and taken to Msasa to withdraw cash.
According to Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, the ordeal began when the couple’s teenage daughter visited Munhungeyi’s house to charge her phone.
The mother (Etheline) arrived, questioned her daughter, and later returned with two other women.
They accused Munhungeyi of dating the girl and savagely assaulted him—striking him with a brick on the head and beating him with sticks.
They then dragged him to their home, where the girl’s father (Prosper) joined in the attack.
“They force marched the complainant to their house, where the father was and he joined the other three accused persons in beating the complainant,” said Insp Chakanza.
“They demanded cash from the complainant, who indicated that he had no cash but some savings in the bank.
“They escorted the complainant to Msasa, where they forced him to withdraw US$100 and they took the money,”
Upon returning from the bank, the situation escalated and the family called more relatives, including an uncle who arrived with a pit bull and threatened to unleash the dog unless Munhungeyi withdrew more money.
Seeing that he could not raise any more money, they then asked him to call relatives to get ransom money.
“They later suggested that the complainant call his relatives and ask for money, and take him to his uncle’s place of residence in Damafalls Phase 2, where they held him captive until Sunday,” said Insp Chakanza.
A tip-off led Ruwa police to the scene, where they rescued Manhungeyi from his tormentors.
Accused persons fled from the homestead upon the arrival of the police. The complainant was then rescued by the police.
“A follow-up was made, leading to the arrest of the couple. The complainant was referred to Ruwa Rehab Hospital for medical examination, where he was treated and discharged,” said Insp Chakanza.
Online Reporter