A MAJOR police and army investigation is underway after a group of 22 rogue soldiers stormed a lodge in Harare, ransacked rooms and raped at least two women.

Fungai Kashitigu, 31, and Kennedy Chitsaka, 30, who are both based at the Mounted Unit Regiment at Inkomo Barracks, were indicted to stand trial in May.

Meanwhile, a major investigation involving regular police, military police and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) is underway to track down 20 other soldiers who are believed to have deserted.

Before Harare magistrates on Thursday, prosecutors Fadzai Kuipa and Rufaro Mhandu alleged that the two soldiers were part of a larger group of rogue troops who stormed a Harare guest house just after 6AM on March 6, spreading terror among residents.

A 20-year-old woman was sleeping with her boyfriend when she was dragged from her bed by four men in army uniform. They robbed her of her mobile phone and US$95 in cash. Chitsaka allegedly raped her while his colleagues looked on.

Elsewhere at the lodge, a second woman, aged 21, was sleeping when she heard a knock on the door. She opened the door and was immediately overpowered by four men in army uniform.

The soldiers ransacked her room and beat her. Prosecutors say Kashitigu returned moments after the other soldiers left and raped the woman.

Kashitigu, it is alleged, returned a third time – this time with a man he identified as his “boss”. As she began narrating what had happened to her, said Mhandu, the “boss” slapped her and tried to rape her but she sprung free and fled.

The incident is the latest in a growing list of reports countrywide of soldiers going rogue, which military chiefs blame on poor pay.

In December 2008, dozens of troops ran amok in central Harare after losing their temper while queuing up to withdraw cash at a bank.