Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Online Reporter
POLICE in Zimbabwe have raised serious concerns over the escalating cases of sexual abuse and rape involving minors across the country, with many perpetrators being individuals entrusted with the care and protection of these vulnerable children.
National Police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, revealed that parents, guardians, relatives, and even community leaders are among those implicated in these heinous crimes. In some instances, strangers have been reported to waylay minors on their way to or from school, while others lure children with sweets, money, drinks, or offers of transportation.
“It is disturbing to note that some of these perpetrators are people who are expected to provide a safe and nurturing environment for these children. Instead, they are exploiting and abusing the trust placed in them,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
The police have also highlighted alarming trends in urban areas, where young girls are being sexually abused by landlords or individuals with whom they share accommodation.
Additionally, there have been reports of self-proclaimed prophets exploiting minors under the guise of offering spiritual assistance, often with the complicity of parents or guardians.
In one harrowing case, a five-year-old girl was sexually abused by an unknown suspect while walking home from school through a bushy area near Bravoland Mine Compound in Mberengwa on 25 February 2025.
Another case involved a 13-year-old girl from Mutawatawa, Murewa, who was raped by her 36-year-old uncle in September 2024 after she went to collect food from the kitchen. The incident was only reported to the police on 26 February 2025.
Similarly, Lusulu Police Station recorded a case on 26 February 2025 in which a 14-year-old girl was sexually abused by her uncle over a nine-month period, from February to November 2024. The victim had initially confided in the suspect’s brother, who merely reprimanded the perpetrator without reporting the crime. The abuse only came to light after the victim began experiencing severe stomach pains.
Commissioner Nyathi warned that parents and relatives who conceal or fail to report cases of sexual abuse risk being arrested for obstructing justice.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns parents and relatives who sweep these cases of sexual abuse under the carpet that they risk being arrested for defeating or obstructing the course of justice,” he said.
The ZRP has called on the public to join hands with law enforcement agencies in the fight against child sexual abuse. Traditional leaders, religious institutions, and community organisations have also been urged to partner with the police in ongoing awareness campaigns aimed at combating rape and child sexual abuse.
“Members of the public are urged to come forward and join hands with the police in the fight against child sexual abuse. Traditional leaders and the church are encouraged to partner with the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the ongoing awareness campaigns against rape and child sexual abuse in the country,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
The police have further urged communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect children from sexual predators. This includes monitoring the activities of minors, educating them about personal safety, and reporting any suspicious behaviour to the authorities.
As the nation grapples with this disturbing trend, the ZRP’s appeal underscores the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the rights and well-being of Zimbabwe’s children.
Online Reporter