adminMidlands Bureau Chief
POLICE in Midlands have launched a massive crime awareness campaign code named Operation Zivo KuVanhu targeting all schoolchildren following an increase in cases of rape in the province. The province’s police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, told Chronicle in an interview yesterday that there was an increase of 13 percent in rape cases between January and September this year
compared to the same period last year.
“Statistics show that between January and September this year, a total of 269 cases of rape committed against juveniles were reported in the province. A further 125 cases of rape against adults (women) were also recorded, giving a total of 395 cases of rape this year. Last year the province recorded 257 cases of rape and 93 of these were against adults. We had a total of 350 cases compared to this year’s 395. This translates to an increase of 13 percent,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said the statistics were worrying prompting the police to launch Operation Zivo KuVanhu which ran from 25 October to yesterday.
He said the operation’s objective was to empower schoolgirls as they were the primary targeted group by rapists.
“We went to all the schools in the province as schoolchildren constituted the majority of the victims.
“We want to urge schoolchildren to move in groups to and from school as a way of reducing rape cases. Where possible, the children should be escorted by a parent or guardian. The children should also not befriend strangers because they may be taken advantage of.
“If they happen to fall victim to rape or abuse, they should quickly inform their parents, teachers or the police. They can even visit the nearest police station for assistance,” said Insp Mahoko.
The Midlands police spokesperson said the challenge of fighting rape cases as a crime was that enhanced policing of areas was ineffective in curbing such crimes as the offence was often committed in secluded places.
He said the other challenge was that the perpetrators of rape were in most cases relatives, fathers or neighbours of the victims.
“In cases involving an upsurge of stock theft, robbery cases or break-ins, we easily curb the crimes by increasing police patrols.
“However, when it comes to rape cases, we cannot fight this kind of crime by increasing police officers on patrol because the perpetrators first make sure that they are in a secluded place where no one will be watching.
“The other challenge is the perpetrators are in most cases either relatives, neighbours or someone known to the victims.
“We can only empower would-be victims with knowledge as a strategy to reduce such crimes.
“Children or juveniles should avoid watching pornographic materials or movies and soaps with too much sex scenes or obscene language. Parents and guardians should help guide children to watch programmes that do not enhance crime in society,” said Insp Mahoko.
He said economic challenges where active age groups are idle due to unemployment has also driven many youths to engage in forms of crime.
Insp Mahoko, however, applauded the courts for slapping rape convicts with heavy sentences that run up to 20 years or more.
He said such heavy sentences would discourage would-be rapists from committing the crime.
The Midlands police spokesperson cited the case of a Gokwe South man who was sentenced to 20 years at the Gokwe magistrate courts on Thursday last week for raping a 13-year-old girl.
He said the man, Moses Mahola (37) of Jichi Village under Chief Njelele, grabbed the girl in a bushy area and raped her once.
The girl was on her way home.
“The girl was brave enough to report the matter to her mother who in turn informed the police. Investigations led to Mahola’s arrest. Such heavy sentences as passed against Mahola will help in a way to reduce incidents of rape cases.
“They are a signal to would-be rapists that the crime is a serious offence that carries a heavy sentence,” he said.
Online Reporter