A 20-year-old woman from Tshabalala suburb in Bulawayo narrowly escaped being raped by an unknown suspect in a maize on Saturday night.
ZRP spokesperson in Bulawayo Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube, said the complainant was walking alone, coming from work after dropping off a kombi at a bus stop.
He said after walking for about 20 metres, the complainant was approached by an unknown suspect who grabbed her by the neck and attempted to strangle her.
The suspect searched the complainant and took her Samsung A82 cellphone, US$2 and R30. Said Insp Ncube:
The suspect then dragged the complainant into a nearby maize field where he tripped her to the ground and removed her clothes. He tried to rape her but she managed to ward him off.
The accused person ordered the complainant to dress up and go home and he disappeared into the darkness.
Insp Ncube said no arrest has been made and the complainant was referred to the hospital for medical attention.
He urged members of the public to avoid using footpaths that pass through bushes and maize fields and also to desist from walking alone at night as they risk being attacked by criminals. | Chronicle