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Shock as minibus passengers raped
2006-04-11 09:15:18
By PST Correspondent, Tanga
Seven people suspected to be armed bandits have waylaid a mini-bus, raped women passengers and made away with valuables, The Guardian has learnt.
Confirming the incident, police in Tanga said some women passengers sustained injuries after the rape ordeal.
Regional Police Commander, Isaya Mngulu told reporters yesterday that the injured were taken to Tanga Regional Hospital for treatment.
Mngulu said the incident occurred on Friday at around 07.30 pm on the Tanga-Maramba road, in Muheza District.
He said the thugs wielded a short-gun and an assortment of crude weapons while raiding the mini-bus, with registration number T2006 AAM. The fateful bus was destined for Maramba from Tanga.
The RPC said the bandits seized control of the bus after mounting a road block, logs of trees.
As the bus stopped, the gangsters ransacked passengers’ luggage for money and valuables.
They are said to have made off with cellphone handsets and cash amounting to 50,000/-, said Mngulu.
The RPC also said in a bizarre scene, after seizing people’s belongings, the bandits raped women in broad view of other distraught passengers.
’A 19 year –old rape victim sought the assistance of her fellow passengers after the bandits vanished from the scene of the incident,’ said Mngulu.
However, the RPC said, of the seven bandits, four were identified by their names.
Police have launched a manhunt, the RPC said.
In another incident, Asha Rashid (45), a resident of Kilindi was arrested after she was found in possession of 185 rolls of bang.
The RPC said the suspect was arrested last week. He said police were still investigating her illegal business.
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