Armed robber shoots schoolgirls

Zim Now Writer

An armed robber attacked two Empandeni learners who were having a picnic, stole their cellphones and shot and inured one of the girls on Sunday afternoon.

The two girls are day scholars at the Roman Catholic-run high school in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South Province.

The girls, one in Form Three and the other one Form Four, were attacked between 2 and 3pm and they were taken to Empandeni Mission Clinic for treatment before being transferred to Plumtree District Hospital where they have since been discharged.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident and said investigations are in progress while a man hunt had been launched for the assailant.

The school head referred all questions to the District Schools Inspector, whose phone could not be reached.

Sources, however, said when the two girls were attacked, they had gone to take pictures of the spilling Empandeni Dam.

“These girls are learners at Empandeni High School but not borders so they went to the dam to take some photos and it was while they were there enjoying themselves that the assailant, who was riding a bicycle emerged from nowhere and ordered them to give him their mobile phones,” said the source.

One of the girls, according to the source, fell down and the attacker drew his gun and shot the little girl who was now running again. The bullet hit her on the foot.

“The incident has unsettled the entire school and the community, especially since the assailant is still unaccounted for and may even pounce again,” said the source.