Online Reporter
Chronicle Reporter
A Botswana woman, Belinda Mashabile has approached the media in Zimbabwe seeking urgent assistance in locating her cousin, Christinah Mashabile, who reportedly went missing and is suspected to be in hiding.
The family fears for Christinah’s safety after years of alleged physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of her uncle, Sira Behind.
Belinda revealed that, as a young girl, Christinah was reportedly married off to Behind by her parents, who justified the arrangement as part of their cultural practice.
“My parents even received dowry from Mr Behind at the time,” Belinda said. “But Christinah eventually fell in love with Thabiso Baliki, with whom she settled and had one child.”
It was during this period that Christinah’s troubles reportedly escalated. Belinda explained that Behind allegedly began harassing and attacking her cousin, culminating in an incident where he kidnapped Christinah and kept her at his house for two weeks, claiming she was rightfully his wife. “He even raped her during that period,” Belinda said.
The abuse persisted, terrorising Christinah and her family, with this trauma forcing Christinah to live in constant fear.
With Christinah now missing and her whereabouts unknown, the family has begun inquiries in neighbouring countries, including Zimbabwe, to determine if she may have crossed borders seeking refuge.
“What is especially worrying us is that she left behind her two children who are constantly asking about their mother, we are genuinely worried,” Belinda said.
Authorities and the public are urged to assist in locating Christinah as the family continues their desperate search.
