Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Crimes & Courts Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
A 46-year-old man from Cowdray Park was apprehended by police following the alleged rape of his six-year-old relative in the early hours of April 5, 2026.
Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, Press and Public Relations Officer, said the incident reportedly occurred around 2:00 AM while the suspect was sleeping on a sofa and the child was on the floor in the same room.
Authorities have intentionally withheld the suspect’s name to protect the victim’s identity within the community.
The assault was uncovered after the victim’s mother was awakened by the sound of her child screaming and crying. Upon investigation, she found the child undressed, and the minor identified the man, a relative referred to as an uncle, as the perpetrator.
Acting with remarkable presence of mind, the mother locked the suspect inside the house before rushing to report the matter to the police, who arrived to find the man still confined in the residence.
Police urged parents to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children’s activities, especially during the holiday season.
They advised against allowing children to share sleeping quarters with adults of the opposite sex, regardless of their relationship.
Furthermore, authorities emphasized that reporting such crimes immediately is vital for ensuring victims receive critical medical interventions, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and for enabling the legal process to be fast-tracked.
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