Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A 58-YEAR-OLD woman died after she was allegedly sprayed with a noxious substance and robbed of US$350 along a footpath near a railway line in Mutare recently.
The incident occurred around midday on a pathway adjacent to the railway line between Dreamhouse and ZIMTA suburbs, near Beaulah Heights Secondary School in Chikanga.
According to police, the now deceased, Winnie Shupikayi Sakarombe, was found lying on the ground by a passer-by, Mr Benard Kawara.
When Mr Kawara approached her, Sakarombe told him that she had been attacked and robbed by an unknown assailant who sprayed her with a noxious substance believed to be similar to pepper spray before fleeing with US$350 cash.
Mr Kawara searched the woman’s handbag and retrieved her cellphone, which he used to contact a relative, Mr Witness Manyawu.
Mr Manyawu quickly arranged transport, and Sakarombe was rushed to Combined Health Clinic near Acid Shopping Centre in Chikanga for medical attention.
After receiving initial treatment, she was referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare. However, she died shortly after admission.
The matter was reported to ZRP Chikanga at around 5pm, prompting investigations by officers from both ZRP Chikanga and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Mutare.
A preliminary examination of the body at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital reportedly revealed no visible physical injuries.
Police also found no signs of a struggle at the scene and no exhibits were recovered during the investigation.
Police have since launched investigations into the robbery and are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect.
The deceased’s body was taken for post-mortem examination to establish the precise cause of death.
Mutare woman dies after pepper spray robbery
