One year old repeatedly 'raped' by father (40)

 A one-year-old girl in Plumtree is said to have been raped by his father on several occasions while her mother was at work, a court heard.
 
The man is aged 40 and also accused of abusing his other children  was remanded by Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Joseph Mabeza in custody to February 7.

According to court records,  the rape came to light after his five- year-old step son fled from home after he tied him to a tree and severely assaulted him.

"I never hit my child neither did I rape my daughter. These are just malicious allegations, Your Worship" the man said in court.

"On October 17 I sent my son to call a neighbour so that we could share a meal but he ran off to his uncle's place. It is his habit of running away from home.

"I was shocked when I learnt that my brother-in-law had informed the village head that I was in the habit of assaulting my kids. They called me a wizard. It was after all these allegations that they told me that I had raped my daughter.

"I know nothing about this" the state run Chronicle quoted him saying in court.

The court heard that his step-son   and other siblings were taken by the department of social welfare for medical examination at Plumtree District Hospital, leading to the discovery of the rape.