News / Regional
Woman 'raped, robbed' at knife point
23 Mar 2015 at 07:12hrs | Views
A 21-year-old woman was allegedly raped by an unknown man at knife-point and robbed of her valuables while sleeping with her friend at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic in Gwanda.
Police confirmed the incident which happened on Thursday at around 3AM. It could not be immediately established whether the woman was a student or visitor to the tertiary institution.
Sources said the woman was sleeping in one of the cottages at the polytechnic in Gwanda together with her friend, when two unknown men pounced on them.
It is said the room was in darkness and the two women were shocked when they discovered two strange men in their room, according to the sources.
"The two attackers are suspected to have broken into the house through a window and threatened to kill the two women if they resisted before one of them got raped.
"One of the suspects, armed with an okapi knife, proceeded to the bed where the two women were sleeping and allegedly raped the 21-year-old in the presence of her friend," said the source.
His accomplice, the source said, was standing guard while armed with a hammer.
After raping her, the two suspects allegedly stole an HP laptop and two Samsung cellphones belonging to the two victims and disappeared into the darkness.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda confirmed receiving a report of the matter on Friday.
He said the matter was under investigation.
"I can confirm that we are investigating a case of unlawful entry, theft and rape whereby the complainant was raped by an unknown person.
"As police we have initiated a manhunt for the two suspects.
"We are also appealing to members of the public who may have information concerning the matter to contact any nearest police station," said Asst Insp Sibanda.
He said members of the public could also utilise the police Whatsapp platform on 0771443373.
Police confirmed the incident which happened on Thursday at around 3AM. It could not be immediately established whether the woman was a student or visitor to the tertiary institution.
Sources said the woman was sleeping in one of the cottages at the polytechnic in Gwanda together with her friend, when two unknown men pounced on them.
It is said the room was in darkness and the two women were shocked when they discovered two strange men in their room, according to the sources.
"The two attackers are suspected to have broken into the house through a window and threatened to kill the two women if they resisted before one of them got raped.
"One of the suspects, armed with an okapi knife, proceeded to the bed where the two women were sleeping and allegedly raped the 21-year-old in the presence of her friend," said the source.
His accomplice, the source said, was standing guard while armed with a hammer.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda confirmed receiving a report of the matter on Friday.
He said the matter was under investigation.
"I can confirm that we are investigating a case of unlawful entry, theft and rape whereby the complainant was raped by an unknown person.
"As police we have initiated a manhunt for the two suspects.
"We are also appealing to members of the public who may have information concerning the matter to contact any nearest police station," said Asst Insp Sibanda.
He said members of the public could also utilise the police Whatsapp platform on 0771443373.
Source - chronicle
