admin
Noah Pito in HURUNGWE—
Police have warned parents of rape victims against negotiating out-of-court settlements with rapists since the courts are the only institutions that have jurisdiction over such cases.
Officer Commanding Police in Mashonaland West Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Rangarirai Mushaurwa, said this while officiating at an Anti-Sexual and Domestic Violence Campaign Launch held at Birimahwe Primary School in Magunje recently.
She said Hurungwe had the worst record in terms of sexual abuses in the province.
Snr Asst Comm Mushaurwa said that was the reason why the district was chosen as the venue for the event this year.
She said during the period January to March this year, Hurungwe recorded 60 cases, the highest in the province so far.
She warned some parents of rape victims against hiding their children after receiving payment from rape suspects, saying the practice jeopardised police efforts to have such criminals prosecuted.
“Some even move their children to some relatives as far as Buhera so that the victims don’t testify in court. This is criminal,” she warned.
Snr Assist Comm Mushaurwa lashed out at parents and guardians who misled their children into changing statements in court saying the practice affected justice delivery.
She said members of the public should understand that when a criminal was granted bail, it did not mean an acquittal.
Also speaking during the same occasion, Mashonaland West Provincial Education Director, Mr Sylvester Mashayamombe, said since 2013 the ministry and the ZRP had joined hands in conducting awareness campaigns in the district. This was after noticing the high rate of child abuse in the area.
Mr Mashayamombe said last year the ministry convened meetings at Mudzimu, Charles Clack, Mushowe and Chitindiva Schools where stakeholders, including local leadership, were invited.
“As Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education we have observed that sexual abuse of children has resulted in high dropout rates at both secondary and primary schools.
“Apart from impacting negatively on their education, sexual abuse of children has also resulted in the spread of sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDs.
“Traditional practices like ‘Chigadzamapfiwa’ and some churches that sanction marriages at the age of 12 have resulted in close relatives and parents abusing children,” he said.
The occasion was attended by Member of Parliament for Hurungwe West, who is also Zanu-PF provincial chairman for Mashonaland West Province, Cde Temba Mliswa, Magunje MP and Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education and Technology Development Dr Godfrey Gandawa, Hurungwe East and North MPs, Cdes Sarah Mahoka and Reuben Marumahoko respectively.
Hurungwe District Administrator Miss Tsana Chirau and traditional Chiefs, among others, also attended the meeting.
Online Reporter