Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A MAN from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb has been arrested for allegedly raping and infecting his wife with HIV over an eight-year period.
A MAN from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb has been arrested for allegedly raping and infecting his wife with HIV over an eight-year period.
The 32-year-old man who cannot be named for ethical reasons has allegedly been raping his wife of the same age since 2010 and she fell pregnant in 2012.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango yesterday confirmed the accused’s arrest.
“We have arrested a man from Nkulumane suburb who allegedly raped his wife and infected her with HIV. The sexual abuse started in 2010 until the accused’s recent arrest. In 2010 the couple is alleged to have gone for an HIV test and the accused tested positive while the complainant tested negative,” said Chief Insp Simango.
The accused repeatedly raped the complainant since then despite knowing his HIV status until she fell pregnant in 2012.
She then went for a second test and tested positive.
Chief Insp Simango said in 2012 the complainant contracted a sexually transmitted infection but the accused refused to seek treatment.
She said the abused woman only gathered strength to report the case on Friday leading to the accused’s arrest.
“Investigations on the matter are in progress. We have arrested him for allegedly raping and infecting her with HIV. We want to encourage women and the girl child not to suffer in silence,” said Chief Insp Simango.
The report comes at a time when Zimbabwe has joined the rest of the World to observe 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence.
The 16 days of activism against GBV run from November 25 to December 10 and this year’s theme is ‘Creating Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment in the Work Place’.
— @nqotshili
Online Reporter