News / National
Kombi crew kidnap woman, take turns to rape her all night long
23 May 2013 at 04:48hrs | Views
POLICE in Mutare are looking for a kombi crew, which last week allegedly kidnapped a 20-year-old woman and took turns to rape her for the whole night. The incident happened last weekend after the woman (name withheld) had been offered a lift in the kombi.
The vehicle is marked 'Nyamande' and red in colour.
Assistant Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed the incident. He said the victim boarded the kombi at around 8pm at Romeo Bus Stop along Mutare-Harare Highway.
"The kombi had 10 passengers on board including the driver and conductor. Among the passengers were three females. After travelling for about two kilometres, the driver claimed that the kombi had developed a mechanical fault. Two females and one male adult disembarked from the kombi when the driver made a U-turn.
"He turned right into a dust road and after travelling for about a kilometre, three other passengers disembarked from the kombi leaving the complainant, her baby and the two accused in the vehicle. One of the accused persons ordered the woman to release her two-year-old baby who was strapped on her back and put it on the passenger seat. She complied," said Asst Insp Chananda.
"He raped her twice before the other accused person raped her three times. They tied her hands until 4am, while they ordered her not to scream or attempt to sneak out. They drove to Mutare and dumped her in the city. She reported the matter to the police who are investigating the matter," he added.
Investigations carried out by The Weekender revealed that the said kombi was plying the Mutare-Harare route. On Tuesday morning rank marshals touting at bus termini in Mutare said the kombi had ferried travellers to Harare.
"We just loaded that bus and it is on its way to Harare. Why are you asking for it," asked a rank marshal who requested anonymity on the basis that he is involved in illegal touting.
When he was told that the kombi crew was suspected of raping a passenger, the rank marshal chickened out saying he preferred not to be involved. A public transporter said he knew the driver of the kombi in question and gave the news crew his cell phone numbers. The driver was identified as Judge.
After several call attempts, the suspected driver was finally reached on his cell phone.
When asked about the alleged rape, he professed ignorance saying he stopped driving long the "Nyamande" mini bus long back and has no idea of the alleged incident.
"I stopped driving long back and don't ask me about those rape stories. Pedzeranai ikoko kwaMutare (solve your cases there in Mutare)," he said before hanging up.
Those privy to the rape case asked many questions. Some queried why the raped woman kept quiet when she was dropped by her alleged tormentors in the city.
"She should have screamed and alerted members of the public and not just jump off the bus and walk away quietly and only to disclose the incident later at a police station," said a resident.
The vehicle is marked 'Nyamande' and red in colour.
Assistant Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed the incident. He said the victim boarded the kombi at around 8pm at Romeo Bus Stop along Mutare-Harare Highway.
"The kombi had 10 passengers on board including the driver and conductor. Among the passengers were three females. After travelling for about two kilometres, the driver claimed that the kombi had developed a mechanical fault. Two females and one male adult disembarked from the kombi when the driver made a U-turn.
"He turned right into a dust road and after travelling for about a kilometre, three other passengers disembarked from the kombi leaving the complainant, her baby and the two accused in the vehicle. One of the accused persons ordered the woman to release her two-year-old baby who was strapped on her back and put it on the passenger seat. She complied," said Asst Insp Chananda.
"He raped her twice before the other accused person raped her three times. They tied her hands until 4am, while they ordered her not to scream or attempt to sneak out. They drove to Mutare and dumped her in the city. She reported the matter to the police who are investigating the matter," he added.
Investigations carried out by The Weekender revealed that the said kombi was plying the Mutare-Harare route. On Tuesday morning rank marshals touting at bus termini in Mutare said the kombi had ferried travellers to Harare.
When he was told that the kombi crew was suspected of raping a passenger, the rank marshal chickened out saying he preferred not to be involved. A public transporter said he knew the driver of the kombi in question and gave the news crew his cell phone numbers. The driver was identified as Judge.
After several call attempts, the suspected driver was finally reached on his cell phone.
When asked about the alleged rape, he professed ignorance saying he stopped driving long the "Nyamande" mini bus long back and has no idea of the alleged incident.
"I stopped driving long back and don't ask me about those rape stories. Pedzeranai ikoko kwaMutare (solve your cases there in Mutare)," he said before hanging up.
Those privy to the rape case asked many questions. Some queried why the raped woman kept quiet when she was dropped by her alleged tormentors in the city.
"She should have screamed and alerted members of the public and not just jump off the bus and walk away quietly and only to disclose the incident later at a police station," said a resident.
Source - manicapost
