adminHeather Charema Correspondent
A REGIONAL magistrate in Mashonaland West Province has expressed concern over the number of incestuous rape cases. He said most of the cases were linked to rituals. Addressing a one-day workshop on multi-sectoral management of child sexual abuse and violence in Zimbabwe held in Chinhoyi recently, regional magistrate Mr Amos Mbobo said incestuous offences had increased.
“We had an increase in incestuous rape cases in the courts recently. We were used to stepfathers and distant relatives raping children, but in the past month, more biological fathers are raping their very own children. This week (last week) we had two of incestuous rape cases where one father raped his biological daughter, impregnated her and later raped the grandchild,” he said.
Mr Mbobo said the rape cases were happening in family set-ups, while calling on families to protect vulnerable children. Traditional and religious leaders, he said, had to work with the prosecuting authorities in eradicating rape cases. Mr Mbobo urged police to exercise caution when recording the victim’s statements, which had a bearing on the final sentence.
“The police need to be patient while exercising caution when recording statements. There is need to capture the correct words of the victim while avoiding generalising the cases,” he said.
Online Reporter