Three Suspects Rape Nurse During Petauke House Break-In

A 28-year-old nurse in Petauke District, Eastern Province, has been raped after three masked men allegedly broke into her home in the early hours of September 29, 2026.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba told TV Yatu that the incident occurred around 02:00 hours, when the three suspects allegedly broke into the nurse’s home in Hillside Compound.

Mweemba said the matter was reported at Petauke Police Station around 03:20 hours by the victim, who works at Petauke District Hospital.

He said the suspects allegedly gained entry by damaging the locking system of the kitchen door before stealing household goods valued at K11,500.

Mweemba said one of the suspects, who was wearing a face mask, allegedly entered the victim’s bedroom, threatened her with a screwdriver and raped her.

He said another suspect covered his face with a chitenge picked from inside the house and stood at the bedroom doorway, while the third suspect, who was also masked, remained outside the bedroom window.

Mweemba said the victim was able to see the suspects because the bedroom lights were on.

After the alleged rape, the suspects reportedly stole a 10-kilogramme bag of mealie meal, 2.5 litres of cooking oil, a home theatre system, two iPhones, a smartwatch and K400 cash before fleeing through the same door they had used to enter the house.

The victim later sought help from her landlord, who accompanied her back to the house and assisted her in reporting the matter to police.

Mweemba said the victim sustained bruises to her neck and complained of pain. She has since been issued with a medical report form.

He said no arrests or recoveries have been made so far, but investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects.