Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
AN 11-year-old girl from Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday at Mpilo Central Hospital following alleged habitual sexual abuse by her stepfather.
Her biological mother, shockingly, claims she was not raped even though she is at an age where she cannot consent to sexual activity.
Neighbours told B-Metro her mother withdrew the case from the police “because the man was the breadwinner.” Both the stepdad and the girl’s mother cannot be named to protect the child’s identity.Community members alleged the woman has barred the girl from talking to neighbours and strangers.
Some well-wishers have already donated food and clothing for the newly-born baby. B-Metro tried in vain to get hold of the stepdad as his number is “no longer in use.”The girl’s mum was militant and told B-Metro to mind its business. Why are you so concerned about my child’s pregnancy? Why do you want to write about this? Who told you she was raped?” she angrily fired questions in rapid succession.
“She was not raped, she agreed to have sex with her dad,” the woman said.
Asked if she thought it was normal for a little child to consent to sex with her dad, she fired back:
“I am busy at the moment; I cannot comment. I will take care of my daughter and her baby,” before hanging up.
Neighbours said they were disappointed with how the woman had handled the matter.
“This bad man was not arrested. We are not sure if it is the hospital authorities who reported the matter or the girl finally gathered courage to report to the police, but we are told the woman withdrew the case. She made a bad call if this is true because as a mother, you must be prepared to die for your children,” said a neighbour on condition of anonymity.
Entumbane Councillor, Khalazani Ndlovu, said she was not aware of the story but promised to get to the bottom of the issue.
“Cases of this nature are usually handled through the police Victim Friendly Unit, which ensures that survivors are properly supported and that investigations are carried out in a sensitive manner.
“We normally engage with the police on such matters, and they take over the process through the Victim Friendly Programme to ensure the victim is protected while investigations continue.”
Mpilo Central Hospital had not issued an official statement at the time of publication, with the hospital’s public relations department saying that it was still looking into the matter.
Meanwhile, police investigations continue.Zimbabwe has intensified efforts to combat child sexual abuse and teenage pregnancies in recent years.
The country was shocked in 2022 when a nine-year-old girl from Tsholotsho became Zimbabwe’s youngest mother after giving birth by Caesarean section. She had conceived at the age of eight.DNA tests identified her 13-year-old cousin as the father.
He was convicted of rape but received a wholly suspended sentence because he was a minor. The girl later received counselling and returned to school.
Teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge, with a national prevalence rate of 23.2 percent.
Rural areas are the hardest hit, recording rates of 29.9 percent compared to 14.6 percent in urban centres.
Nearly 700 girls aged between 10 and 14 sought antenatal care within a six-month period, while more than 4 500 learners dropped out of school in a recent year due to pregnancy, most of them from rural communities.
Mathew Masinge