Rapists on the prowl in Zaka

RAPISTS are on the prowl here amid reports that they recently pounced on five female teachers at a school in the district and allegedly sexually abused them while armed with machetes.

The rapists are believed to be part of a gang of robbers who have been terrorising most parts of Zaka, getting away with household goods and cash.

The suspects normally pounce on their victims in the dead of the night and target schools and business centres.

Member of Parliament for Zaka West Cde Vincent Mawere urged villagers in his constituency to set up neighbourhood watch committees to deter attacks by the marauding suspects.

Addressing villagers in his constituency on Tuesday, Cde Mawere said female teachers were now living in fear of the rapists. He implored schools in the district to beef up security.

“We are very disturbed by recent reports that one of the schools in our district was invaded by unknown people armed with machetes, who raped and sexually abused five female teachers in one night before robbing them of their valuables,” said Cde Mawere.

“I am appealing to authorities at various schools in the district to closely work with law enforcement agencies so that they increase patrols by neighbourhood watch members to improve security, while also opening more Victim Friendly Units to deal with victims of sexual abuse in rural areas.’’

Cde Mawere challenged the Zaka community to closely monitor girls and the physically-challenged as they were the most vulnerable.

“I am reminding parents to accompany young girls to and from school,” he said.

“Parents should also not assign young girls to do tasks like herding cattle alone as rapists take advantage of bushes to rape women.”