Bulawayo,  (New Ziana) – A 37-year-old man from Pelandaba West, along with his girlfriend, fell victim to armed robbers who ambushed them while they were parked on the side of Nyamandlovu Road to take a rest.

The couple lost their vehicle, valuables, and cash amounting to US$1,000 in the incident. Police confirmed the incident.

Acting Bulawayo province police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said on March 31, around 5PM, the complainant and his 26-year-old girlfriend from Nketa 7, were driving out of town when they stopped at Mbuyazwe.

After parking their car, Msebele said they sat on the loading box and began to talk. “While they were sitting, the suspects approached them from the western direction along Nyamandlovu Road and accused the complainant of stealing cattle in their area,” Msebele explained.

She added that the assailants grabbed the complainant and struggled with him for about ten minutes.

“One of the attackers then produced a black pistol and hit the complainant twice on the back of the head with the weapon. “The other suspect produced an okapi knife and stabbed the complainant twice on each side of the buttocks. “The robbers then forced the couple into the bush, where they tied their hands and legs with cables and string,” Msebele said.

One of the suspects reportedly returned to the car while his accomplice kept watch over the victims.

He ransacked the vehicle, stealing four Samsung Galaxy cellphones and cash amounting to US$1,000 from a wallet in the dashboard.

“One of suspect guarding the couple then took the complainant’s girlfriend to a secluded area and raped her. “After the robbery, the suspect who had gone to the car returned, handing over the keys, bank cards, and driver’s license to the complainant before they drove away in his vehicle.

“The couple managed to untie themselves and walked approximately three kilometers along Nyamandlovu Road toward Bulawayo, where they sought help from passing motorists who took them to the police to report the incident,” said the police spokesperson.

She said the complainant sustained deep cuts on the back of his head and stab wounds on his buttocks.

The total value of the stolen property is estimated at US$4,000, along with a vehicle valued at ZAR 400,000, and nothing has been recovered.

Msebele urged anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to visit the nearest police station.

“We also encourage members of the public to report any information that may assist in apprehending the suspects. As police, we advise the public not to park their vehicles in secluded areas, as they risk becoming targets for robbers,” Msebele said.

New Ziana