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Rutendo Nyeve
A shocking case of child abuse and maternal betrayal has emerged in Victoria Falls, where a 14-year-old girl reportedly suffered months of repeated rape at the hands of her stepfather. Alarmingly, it is alleged that her mother concealed these heinous acts to protect the perpetrator.
The minor (name withheld) was first sexually assaulted in June 2024 at her stepfather’s homestead in Dunu Village, Chief Mvuthu in Victoria Falls.
Tragically, this became a recurring nightmare with one incident witnessed by the victim’s 10-year-old brother, who peeped through a window.
The issue came to light on 14 May 2025, after the minor disclosed the ordeal to her aunt, who eventually reported the matter leading to the stepfather’s arrest.
The stepfather appeared before Victoria Falls Resident Magistrate Mr Gift Manyika on Saturday facing charges of rape and was remanded in custody to 30 May.
Representing the state, Ms Audrey Mukanganya told the court that on an unknown date but during the month of June 2024, at around 1pm at a homestead in Dunu village under Chief Mvuthu, Victoria Falls, the minor who is the complainant, a female juvenile aged 14 years was at home together with the accused who is her step father.
“The complainant went into the bedroom hut to collect some cooking utensils and the accused followed her, closed the door and locked it. The accused removed a knife from his pocket and threatened to kill the complainant if she tried to resist his orders.
“He then ordered the complainant to lie on the bed facing upwards and she complied. The accused removed the complainant’s dress, undergarments and pulled the complainant’s legs apart. He pulled his shorts and underwear to knee level whilst pointing the complainant’s neck with a knife,” said Ms Mukanganya.
The court heard that the accused then had unprotected sexual intercourse with the complainant once without the complainant’s consent.
After the act, the court heard that the complainant dressed herself and the accused unlocked the door.
“They both went outside and the complainant continued with her house chores. On the same day around 2.30pm, the complainant went into the bedroom and the accused followed behind and closed the door and used the same modus operandi to rape the complainant
“The accused was seen by his stepson (name withheld) aged 10 years, who came and peeped into the house through the window. After the act, the accused unlocked the door and they went outside,” said Ms Mukanganya.
On the same date at around 4pm, the court heard that the complainant’s mother came back and the complainant revealed the matter to her but she chose to make it a secret.
“From the period extending from June 2024 to 28 February 2025, the accused had sexual intercourse with the complainant several times on different occasions without her consent whenever her mother was not at home.
“The matter came to light on 11 May 2025 at around 7pm after the complainant revealed the matter to her aunt (name withheld). On 14 May 2025, at around 12pm, the complainant’s aunt escorted the complainant to ZRP Victoria Falls Airport Post and reported the matter,” said Ms Mukanganya.
The court heard that the accused was positively identified by the complainant during the commission of the crime while the complainant was medically examined and a medical affidavit indicates that penetration was effected.
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Online Reporter