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Shock rise in rape cases, say police

by Crime Reporter
09 Apr 2016 at 08:31hrs | Views
Police have expressed concern over an increase in rape cases involving both women and juveniles countrywide, with at least six cases having been reported in six days. The statistics were recorded between March 31 and April 5.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said they were concerned with such cases.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with great concern the increase in rape cases especially of juveniles throughout the country. Statistics gathered for the period March 31 to April 5, 2016 indicate that six rape cases were recorded and four of them involved juveniles," she said.

She said three of the cases were recorded in Bulawayo where a five-year-old girl was playing at her parents' residence when she was called by a neighbour into his bedroom.

The neighbour raped her once.

"In another case, an eight-year-old girl was coming from school when she was grabbed and dragged into a bushy area where she was raped once by an unknown male adult," Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

Another nine-year-old girl was raped by her uncle whom she stays with in Bulwayo. In Domboshava, a 12-year-old girl was raped by a 20-year-old relative after they had been left together at home.

"The complainant and accused were at home when the complainant went to her bedroom to sleep. The accused followed and covered her mouth using a cloth and raped her once," Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

A 24-year-old Bulawayo woman was raped by an unknown assailant who broke into her bedroom while she was asleep. The woman went to bed and at around 1.30am. She was awakened by the assailant who was on top of her.

"She screamed for help, but she was threatened with death. She was raped once without protection. The accused left without stealing anything from the house," Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

She urged parents and guardians to leave their children especially the girl child in the custody of responsible females and always monitor their movements.

Source - the herald
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