Police officer in court for raping girl (5)

A 31-year-old POLICE officer, Simbarashe Maurukira who claimed during a church sermon that a five-year-old girl was in dire need of deliverance because she was sexually active and possessed evil spirits, has been arrested on charges of rape.

Maurukira, last week, was arraigned before Chitungwiza magistrates' court facing charges of allegedly raping his wife's friend's five-year-old daughter.

Maurukira, who was based at Beatrice police station, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Chitungwiza regional magistrate Mr Never Katiyo and was remanded in custody to December 1 for trial.

Prosecutor Ms Joice Fusire alleges that on August 24 this year, the girl's mother went to town leaving her with Maurukira's wife. She took the child to bed under the same blankets where they were sleeping.

When Maurukira's wife woke up at 8am to do her routine chores she left her daughter and her friend's sleeping with her husband.

When her child cried she went inside and took her outside, leaving her husband sleeping with the minor.

It was alleged that Maurukira took advantage of the situation and asked the child to fondle his private parts before asking the girl to take off her pants and raped her.
The girl never told anyone about the incident.

The offence came to light on September 11 at a church service with Maurukira leading the proceedings.

He announced that the child was sexually active and that she was possessed with evil spirits, which needed deliverance.

The girl's mother felt offended by Maurukira's remarks, leading to her inquiring from his wife and was informed of the matter.

She made a police report leading to Maurukira's arrest.