RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 2010 Vol 2, Crime and Courts
Four Harare Women Raped One Day in Separate Incidents
Harare — FOUR women were raped in separate incidents on Saturday alone in Harare, with police raising concern about the increase in cases of sexual assault in the city.
Harare — FOUR women were raped in separate incidents on Saturday alone in Harare, with police raising concern about the increase in cases of sexual assault in the city.
Police spokesman Inspector James Sabau yesterday said a 28-year-old woman was raped in Waterfalls as she walked along a road in the suburb at night.
He said the man stopped in front of the woman and pretended to tie his shoe laces.
When the victim drew closer the man grabbed her by the neck and dragged her to a dark, secluded place where he raped her once.
He stole the tracksuit she was wearing, a Nokia 1208 cellphone, her handbag and sandals.
Another woman was raped in a maize field in Mufakose by an unknown man who had got on the same lift as her from the city.
The victim was offered a lift in a taxi from Chinhoyi Street to Marimba along with two other men.
However, the driver did not drop her off in Marimba and proceeded to Mufakose.
The taxi driver only allowed her to disembark in Musasa Street along with the two men.
She handed them US$11 and a Samsung cellphone. The other man then raped her once.
Police said a Glen View man had gone into hiding after allegedly raping his housemaid while his wife was away from home.
The man reportedly called the maid to his bedroom and pushed her onto the bed before raping.
In the other incident, a self-styled prophet was arrested on allegations of raping a woman after lying that he wanted to pray for her.
The 20-year-old woman was lured to an open space near ZRP Glen View Park for the "prayers".
The "prophet" subsequently asked her to accompany him to his house in the area for more "prayers".
When they got to his house, he instructed her to remove her blouse and lie on her back on a white cloth.
The suspect allegedly indicated to the woman that he wanted to remove a "bad spell" from her uterus before raping her.
A police report was made leading to the prophet's arrest.
Insp Sabau said people should avoid walking in secluded areas, especially at night.
In December, 37 rape cases were reported in Harare.
It is not clear if the increase in cases is because the number of people reporting the attacks has gone up or there is a significant rise in sexual abuse.
