By Lovemore Masunungure
A 29-year-old man has been arrested in Mupatsi, Chikomba Mashonaland East Province, in connection with the alleged repeated rape of a nine-year-old mentally challenged girl.
According to Police, the victim, a Grade Two pupil at Nzuma Primary School, was allegedly abused on several occasions between September and October 2026.
Police said the suspect first encountered the girl in August while she was walking home from school and offered her a drink.
The suspect allegedly began waiting for the girl outside the school premises in September, where he would lure her into a bush and sexually abuse her.
“After being released at school, she was lured by the suspect into the bush and was allegedly raped once without protection. The suspect continued to wait for complainant at school and raped her on different occasions,” Police said in a statement.
The alleged abuse came to light on October 14 when the suspect allegedly followed the girl into her bedroom after finding her playing at home while she was under the care of her 15-year-old brother.
Police said the girl’s brother witnessed the alleged abuse and alerted neighbours, who immediately responded.
“When the suspect heard the voices he quickly dressed up, and went outside and was arrested by the local people,” Police said.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to officers from ZRP Sadza, who attended the scene and arrested him.
Mashonaland East provincial Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi has urged members of the public to report sexual and domestic abuse cases promptly and to protect vulnerable members of society.
“Cases of domestic and sexual abuse should be reported to the nearest police station without delay,” He said.
The police also cautioned communities against taking the law into their own hands, saying, “Do not resort to violence as it is like taking law into one’s own hands.”
He urged communities to take responsibility for protecting vulnerable people, particularly children and persons living with disabilities.