In a deeply unsettling and tragic series of events on Saturday night, two women were brutally assaulted at Granville Cemetery, leaving a community shaken and authorities racing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The first victim, an 18-year-old woman, was walking with her boyfriend around 8 pm when the couple encountered two men who demanded their national IDs. The attackers forced the boyfriend to sit down and struck him on the forehead with an unknown object. Then, in a horrifying violation, they dragged the young woman onto a grave where they took turns raping her without protection. After the assault, they struck her on the head, causing her to lose consciousness. She later regained consciousness and, with the support of her boyfriend, reported the crime to the police at ZRP Southlea Park.

Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, Harare provincial police spokesperson, confirmed that on the very same day, a second assault occurred at the same cemetery. A 26-year-old woman, who had left her home late at night leaving behind her seven-month-old baby, was attacked by two men. They forcibly laid her on a grave, undressed her, and raped her consecutively without protection until she lost consciousness. Both victims have been taken to Edith Opperman Clinic for medical examinations.

Inspector Chakanza urged the public to avoid walking alone in secluded places at night and issued a stern warning to the offenders: “The long arm of the law will surely catch up with you.”

This tragic episode underscores the urgent need for greater safety measures and community vigilance to protect vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts. Our thoughts are with the victims as authorities continue their search for justice.

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