Online Reporter
A MAN who allegedly raped an eight-year-old girl in Norton three years ago has been arrested in the leafy Hillside suburb in Bulawayo after the girl finally opened up about the ordeal.
The suspect, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, used to live at the same house as the girl, where he did piece jobs.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident. She warned members of the public to be careful who they leave their children with, as all men are potential rapists.
“Sometime in 2022, the accused person was residing at complainant’s place of residence at Twinlake close, Norton where he was doing piece jobs. One day he noticed that the complainant who was 8 years old by then was with her two younger sisters, aged 6 and 4 years, while their mother was not around.
“The accused person then called the complainant to her bedroom, where he ordered her to remove all her clothes and lie on the bed. He then removed his trousers and raped her before threatening to kill her if she ever tells anyone. After the rape, the accused relocated to Hillside in Bulawayo,” said Insp Msebele.
She said the little girl did not tell anyone until 14 July 2025, when she reported the matter to her mother, who escorted her and made a police report at Norton. This led to the arrest of the accused person at his current place of residence in Hillside, Bulawayo.
“Police appreciate members of the public for supplying information leading to the arrest of the accused person. We also urge members of the public, especially mothers, to take note of whom they leave their girl juveniles with. Not all men are trusted, even relatives are potential rapists. We reiterate that Bulawayo is not a hiding hub for criminals committing crimes in other places,” said the provincial police spokesperson.
derick.khumalo