Harare — IN a case that has left Mutare residents shell-shocked, a 27-year-old woman from Beitbridge was pelted with stones, robbed and raped by 10 unknown assailants as she slept at Sakubva Market on Wednesday.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Brian Makomeke said the woman was waiting for transport to Beitbridge when the incident occurred around midnight.

It is understood that when it got dark, the woman decided to sleep at the market, as she had nowhere to go. While she slept, the men approached her and one of them snatched her blanket and walked away.

The woman gave chase in a bid to recover her blanket, but the men began pelting her with stones. As she fled from the hail of stones, the gang gave chase, caught up with her and dragged her into a stormdrain between Chitungo and NHB sections of Sakubva, where they took turns to rape her.

After the heinous deed, they stole her shoes and $1 million cash before disappearing into the night. The helpless woman picked herself up and reported the incident to the police.

No arrests have been made and investigations are still in progress. Insp Makomeke said police were appealing to anyone with information that could help them apprehend the suspects to contact ZRP Sakubva on (020) 64717 or 60902.