Man rapes mentally challenged minor

Wilbrought Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter

A 19-year-old Old Pumula man is in trouble with the law for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl with mental challenges.

The incident occurred in Old Pumula suburb on Wednesday last week at about 10am.

Confirming the incident to Sunday News, Bulawayo police spokesman Inspector Abednico Ncube said the accused called the complainant who is a neighbour to his place of residence and allegedly raped her once.

“We received a report of rape where a 19-year-old young man by the name, Crage Mhlanga from Old Pumula is alleged to have raped a 13-year-old mentally disturbed girl who is his neighbour. It is alleged that at around 10am, the complainant who was standing in front of her residence was approached by the accused who requested that she visits his place of residence. On arrival the accused took the complainant to his bedroom and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her,” said Insp Ncube.

After allegedly raping her, Mhlanga is said to have threatened the girl with harm if she told anyone of the ordeal. 

On the same day, when the complainant got home, she narrated the incident to her father and a report was filed with the police in Pumula.

Insp Ncube urged members of the public not to take advantage of people with various disabilities to exploit them sexually.

“We urge the public not to take advantage of the people with disabilities as they cannot defend themselves. The caregivers should also take a closer look for such people so as to notice early any form of abuse,” he said.