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Nesia Mhaka Herald Reporter
A four member gang comprising two men and two women that is using a private vehicle to rob and rape unsuspecting hitch-hikers is on the prowl in Mashonaland Central.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incidences of robberies and rape that occurred last week.

The gang targets female travellers.

“On May 6, 2019, at around 7pm, a 34-year-old female adult boarded a white Volkswagen motor vehicle at Chivavaya turn-off at Guruve Centre, going to Nyamuseve Secondary School,” he said.

“The vehicle had two male occupants. After travelling for a while, the driver stopped the vehicle and the other occupant slapped the complainant on the face. The criminals produced a knife and forcibly took ZAR1 900, US$25, RTGS5, Lenovo tablet, bags containing clothes and groceries. The complainant was then tied on both hands and force- marched into a nearby bush by one of the assailants who injected her with an unknown substance slightly above her right hip. She became unconscious. Complainant later gained consciousness at around 9pm with her panties and skin tight (jeans) removed to knee level. Her skin-tight jeans had been removed and left at the scene.”

In another incident on May 7, the gang robbed a 54-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy of an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones.

“On the same day, at around 6pm, a 22-year-old female adult was at Bindura Showgrounds, opposite Mayfair Lodge, looking for transport to Harare. Complainant then boarded a white Volkswagen sedan vehicle that had four occupants — two males and two females. Along the way the driver stopped and pulled out a knife, handed it to one of his accomplices and they forcibly took a Samsung laptop, Samsung cellphone, US$70, ZAR300 and various clothing items from the complainant,” Asst Comm Nyathi                            said.

“One of the accused persons force-marched the complainant to a nearby bush where he raped her once before tying her hand to the leg with a rope and left.

He said on the same day 7:1 pm, a 25-year-old female was offered a lift from Glendale to Chiweshe by the gang and was robbed of RTGS3 and clothes before she was left tied with ropes in the bush.

“Members of the public are urged to approach private and unregistered vehicles cautiously. Where possible, they should board public service vehicles which are easily traceable in case of the commission of crime.

“Meanwhile, we appeal to anyone with information which may lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station or phone the National Complaints Desk,” he said.