adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
POLICE in Bulawayo have expressed concern over the upsurge in rape crimes. 161 cases have been recorded so far this year as compared to 142 in the same period last year. Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abedinico Ncube said most of the victims were children under the age of 16.
“The majority of the victims are juveniles who are left under male custody be it their family member or neighbours,” he said.
Asst Insp Ncube urged guardians and parents not to leave their children with just anyone saying they would rather sacrifice losing money to keep their children safe.
“It’s better to leave children in Child Day Care Centres for their safe upkeep than leaving them under the guardianship of people who may abuse them. It’s better to lose money in taking care of the child rather than losing it through medical expenses after a child has been raped,” he said.
Asst Insp Ncube encouraged school going children to walk in groups and not accept gifts from strangers.
“School going children, particularly girls, should move in groups and desist from entertaining gifts from strangers,” he said.
Asst Insp Ncube said job seekers have also fallen prey to the rapists.
“Some of the women who have fallen victim to rapists are those coming from the rural areas who would be seeking employment. They are lured by some men who promise them employment and in turn rape them,” he said.
Asst Insp Ncube said women should also be wary of prophets who prefer bushy areas to conduct prayer sessions.
“Women seeking divine intervention from prophets should be wary of those who conduct their prayer sessions in the bushes. The Holy Spirit is not a secret and there is no reason for them to go to secluded places for prayer purposes. Even when Jesus was healing people he was calling them to public places,” he said.
The police spokesperson urged couples to stop using bushy areas to conduct their affairs as some of them have been raped in those places.
He said on rare occasions women have also been raped by house breakers.
Of late, the law has been stern on those found guilty of rape.
Recently, a 28-year-old Bulawayo man who broke into a house, raped, stabbed and robbed a woman in Queens Park suburb was sentenced to 26 years in prison.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Cde Oppah Muchinguri, has also expressed concern over the increase in child rape cases and has moved a motion in parliament calling for stiffer penalties against rapists.
Statistics reveal that over 100 girls are raped countrywide on a weekly basis.
Online Reporter