Online Reporter
Locadia Mavhudzi, Midlands Correspondent
POLICE in the Midlands Province have recorded over 920 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) between January and April, with a significant surge in physical and sexual violence against women and girls reported predominantly in the mining communities of Kwekwe and Zvishavane.
Speaking on the side-lines of a Provincial GBV Coordination meeting convened by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Gweru, Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, noted that despite ongoing awareness campaigns, GBV remains a persistent issue.
He highlighted that Kwekwe and Zvishavane districts currently lead in reported GBV cases.
“We recorded 554 domestic violence cases, 172 cases of rape, 133 cases of sexual intercourse with a young person, 30 cases of aggravated indecent assault, 25 cases of indecent assault, and 14 attempted rape cases during the first quarter. In total, we recorded 928 GBV cases. Most were reported in the artisanal mining communities of Kwekwe and Zvishavane,” said Inspector Mahoko.
Zvishavane was recently flagged by the National AIDS Council as an emerging hotspot for new HIV infections in the Midlands, closely followed by Shurugwi, Mberengwa, and Kwekwe districts.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) noted that GBV cases involving minors are often linked to perceived maturity and vulnerable family structures.
“Child-headed households are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence due to factors such as poverty, lack of parental supervision, and the stress of assuming adult responsibilities. GBV—including physical, sexual, and psychological violence—can significantly affect the well-being of children in such households,” said Inspector Mahoko.
He also pointed out that the lack of national identification documents among many GBV victims poses a challenge to the justice system.
“We encounter cases where victims lack documentation. A minor may be raped, only for it to emerge that the child does not have a birth certificate. The justice system then relies on age estimation, which may compromise the charges brought in such cases. We therefore urge the public to ensure that children have essential documents like birth certificates,” he said.
Inspector Mahoko revealed that police have partnered with traditional leaders in the province to launch a campaign aimed at strengthening the monitoring and reporting of GBV cases in rural communities. The initiative, code-named the “Not in My Village” campaign, seeks to empower traditional leaders to play an active role in GBV prevention and case referral.
“This campaign ensures that traditional leaders are involved in preventing GBV and referring cases to the police. We often face challenges with delayed reporting of GBV cases in rural areas due to informal family or community meetings before police involvement. Such delays harm victims and contribute to rising teenage pregnancies,” he said.
The police have also partnered with religious leaders through the Christian Community Police Network to ensure that GBV cases occurring within church circles are reported.
“As police, we recognise the influence of religious leaders over their congregations. We want them to support victims in reporting abuse to the police. Victims often confide in church leaders for comfort and solidarity, so we are equipping these leaders to refer such cases appropriately,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (2023–2030) aims to reduce GBV prevalence by 20 percent by 2030 and foster a gender-just society. The strategy adopts a multi-sectoral approach, incorporating legal reforms, community mobilisation, and service provision.
