Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
BULAWAYO police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu has confirmed the arrest of a 21-year-old Fairbridge man who allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl who later discovered that she was pregnant.
The suspect, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, allegedly committed the offence in June at around 5am after the girl had gone to collect her mother’s phone from a neighbour.
Asst Inspector Ndlovu said the girl was on her way home when the man, who was standing at the doorway of his house, called her.
He forced the girl into his room, locked the door and pushed her onto his bed before raping her once.
The teen went home after the attack and did not report the matter to anyone.
Panic set in weeks later after the girl missed her monthly menstrual period in July.
She reportedly informed her attacker that she had missed her period and asked him to buy her a pregnancy test kit.
The test reportedly returned positive, with the teenager subsequently informing the man of the results.
According to police, the man told the girl not to terminate the pregnancy because he wanted the child.
However, the matter remained unreported until September when the teenager visited her grandmother in Matsheumhlope.
On September 2 at around 11am, the grandmother became suspicious that the girl was pregnant and questioned her about it.
The teenager opened up to her grandmother about what had happened in June.
Assistant Inspector Ndlovu said the grandmother subsequently reported the matter to the police, resulting in the suspect’s arrest.
“A police report was made and the accused person was arrested,” she said.
According to Zimbabwean law, a person who is below the age of 18 is a minor and cannot consent to sex.
Police are investigating the matter.
