Rape cases decline in Bulawayo

BULAWAYO has recorded a 10 percent decrease in rape cases from 115 to 103 between January and August this year, compared to the same period last year, with a majority of victims being children.

Revealing the statistics yesterday, police spokesperson for Bulawayo Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo attributed the decrease to unity of purpose between the police and residents.

However, he said police were still not happy, despite the decrease in reported cases.

"As police in Bulawayo, we have a vision of a crime free city and we want to completely eradicate rape. Rape incidents, particularly where children would be victims continue to be a problem although those incidents are on the decline. From January 2013 to august 2013, we have recorded 103 cases compared to 115 during the same period last year. As police we believe that with more cooperation among stakeholders, the vision can be achieved," said Insp Moyo.

He said older females were usually raped in bushy areas when looking for firewood, at the fields or using short cut routes that pass through bushy areas.

"Some are attacked while moving unaccompanied at night. We advise women against to ensure they are accompanied, preferably by male escorts, in such situations," said Insp Moyo.

The police spokesperson strongly discouraged guardians from leaving children without a minder or in the custody of men.

"It does not help the situation even if that man would be a relative because most rapes perpetrated against children are committed by male relatives," he said.

Last year, the national coordinator of the Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) Assistant Commissioner Isabella Sergio, said 70 percent of rape victims in the country were children and in about 90 percent of the cases, they were raped by people they knew, with relatives and neighbours included on the list of perpetrators.

Insp Moyo said mothers should constantly bath their children as it was through such routines that sexual abuses are discovered.

"Leaving that duty solely to domestic workers may not reveal abuses on children. A mother has the added advantage of intimate connection with the child while the maid will be pre-occupied with getting the job of bathing the child done and nothing more," He said.

Inspector Moyo said ongoing campaigns, especially at schools, were yielding dividends as more school children who were victims of abuse were making reports.

"We encourage exchange of information between police and the public if we are to realise a crime-free environment. Anyone with information that they feel may assist in solving any case(s), should contact us on our hotline numbers (09) 885479, 881466, 77523 or 68721, or use police suggestion boxes," he said.