Maid blows whistle on kith & kin for STI cure

A SHOCKING wave of sexual abuse has devastated the lives of three orphaned children in Magaba Village, Mberengwa, exposing a horrifying betrayal of trust by those sworn to protect them. The children, aged between four and fourteen, were living under the care of extended family after losing their parents, only to allegedly be subjected to repeated sexual assaults by multiple relatives and community members. Without their biological parents, these children have been left vulnerable, hopeless, and with nowhere to safely turn.

The horror came to light after a 10-year-old girl, a grade three pupil, was allegedly raped by a 38-year-old relative. Sources close to the family alleged the man believed the abuse could "cure" a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) he had contracted, a belief rooted in criminally dangerous and false misinformation about diseases like HIV/Aids. Sources suggest this perpetrator acted on instructions from a traditional healer.

The abuse was uncovered thanks to a vigilant maid who noticed the 10-year-old had uncharacteristically refused to eat supper. Persistent questioning led the frightened child to disclose the horrific ordeal. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found she had contracted an STI, which raised an immediate alarm. Midlands assistant police spokesperson Xolani Dube, said police moved swiftly. The relative was arrested on 10 October after the matter was reported. The police report detailed that the child was allegedly bribed with snacks and assaulted multiple times.

However, sources indicate that this arrested individual is not the only predator in the family circle. Four other relatives are believed to have habitually molested the children, leaving the siblings, including a child in early childhood development (ECD A) traumatised and unsafe in their own home. It is suspected the abuse may have continued for years, fuelled by twisted and false beliefs.

The trauma of these orphans serves as a grim reminder of how vulnerable children are when their parental protection is lost and the systems meant to replace it fail. Community members have expressed shock and grief. "It is heartbreaking to think that helpless children are being abused by those who are supposed to protect them," said one local elder, speaking anonymously.

Human rights activists have condemned the abuse in the strongest possible terms. Kholakele Mhlanga, Advocacy Programmes Officer from the Umzingwane Aids Network, stated: "What has happened exposes serious gaps in our child protection system. People who exploit children under any guise must face the full force of the law."

Sunga Mzeche, Director of Hope for a Child in Christ, added: "The first priority is to ensure these children are safe. We need urgent intervention to protect them from further harm. Their suffering should never be ignored."

Residents of Magaba Village are calling for authorities to not only prosecute the arrested individual but to thoroughly investigate all other family members reportedly involved in the repeated abuse.

Furthermore, this case highlights the urgent need to combat dangerous misinformation about HIV and Aids. Beliefs that a child's innocence could "cure" a deadly disease are not just false - they are criminally dangerous and must be addressed through community-wide education.

The three children are now in protective custody. Social services are providing essential medical care and counselling to help them begin the slow, difficult process of healing.