Source: Gang member in court for robbing and gang-raping sex worker – herald
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A 20-YEAR-OLD Epworth man appeared in court over the weekend, facing charges of robbery and rape in connection with a brutal attack on a commercial sex worker.
Simon Peter Fernando, alongside three unidentified accomplices who are at large, allegedly ambushed the commercial sex worker and her client, robbed them and later took turns raping the woman without protection.
Fernando appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Musaiona Shotgame and was informed that he must seek bail in the High Court, as the charges fall under third-schedule offences.
According to the State, represented by Mrs Heather Mhlanga-Muokoto, the incident occurred on the night of March 20, 2026.
The victim, whose name has been withheld, is a commercial sex worker operating at Greencroft Shopping Centre’s Amigos Night Club.
She was picked up by a client around midnight.
The two drove to a secluded area near Avonlea Primary School in a Toyota Aqua, where they engaged in consensual, protected sexual intercourse. The client then paid Chirunga US$40 for her services.
As they prepared to leave, a white Nissan X-Trail with unidentified registration plates suddenly blocked their vehicle. Fernando and his accomplices exited the vehicle and approached the Toyota Aqua, which was locked with its windows closed.
The client attempted to reverse the vehicle but failed and the car ended up in a ditch. Using metal objects, they smashed the car’s windows to gain entry.
The attackers first demanded money from the client, who handed over his wallet containing US$25, his national ID, and bank cards. They then turned to the victim and, under duress, she handed over her bag, which contained an iPhone 14 Pro Max and US$120 in cash.
The gang forcibly dragged the complainant into the boot of their vehicle and drove her to Blue Lagoon, where they pulled her out of the car and forced her to lie on the grass. Fernando and his accomplices then took turns raping her without protection.
During the ordeal, Fernando reportedly removed his mask, enabling the victim to identify him.After the assault, the gang abandoned the victim at the scene.
The complainant walked back to the Greencroft Shopping Centre, where she disclosed the attack to her friends. The matter was later reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Avondale, and the victim was referred to a hospital for medical examination.Just hours after the attack, Chirunga spotted Fernando at Amigos Night Club around 1am on March 21.
She immediately alerted the police, leading to his arrest.
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