Police Hunt Suspect in Assault Spike

19 February 2026

Colleta Bell

Residents of Mthombothemba in Hope Fountain are being urged to stay alert after a series of assault cases, including attacks on a woman and an 11-year-old girl, were reported in the area.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police says the first incident occurred along Bulawayo Drive, where a woman was allegedly confronted by a man armed with a knife and assaulted before he fled.

On the same day, an 11-year-old girl waiting to be picked up after school was also attacked by a suspect believed to be the same individual, who reportedly threatened her with a knife before escaping.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele told SkyzMetro FM that investigators cannot link the earlier two cases to the arrested suspect at this stage, and the suspect in those incidents remains at large

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, police arrested 21-year-old Gift Ncube after an 83-year-old woman was assaulted at her home. Community members apprehended him and handed him over to authorities.

Police are urging residents to report suspicious activity as investigations continue.

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