The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has expressed concern over the prevalence of rape matters in courts, adding that most of these cases “involve parties that are related or known to each other.”
The NPA highlighted that the painful part of this is that most victims of are mostly juveniles and mentally challenged people.
“The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) notes with concern that most of the rape matters that are prosecuted in the Magistrates Court across the country involve parties that are related or known to each other,” the NPA said in a statement.
“This is particularly painful in the case of juveniles and mentally challenged people who are raped by family members such as their fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, brothers and uncles as these are the people that they trust and look up to for protection.”
The state further urged families of the victims to timeously report cases of rape and sodomy to the nearest clinic or hospital and the law enforcement authorities.
“It is also regrettable that some families do not report rape matters involving juveniles and family members to the Zimbabwe Republic Police but choose to resolve these at family level or through the local leadership or community court.
“The NPAZ would like to urge the public to report all sexual offences to the Zimbabwe Republic Police particularly those involving juveniles and mentally challenged persons or any other vulnerable groups of people living with disability.
“Where the members of the public are unable to report to the police, they can report to Childline on toll free line 116 or report to the social worker or school authorities.
“All victims of rape, sodomy or aggravated indecent assault must go to the nearest clinic or hospital for treatment and HIV testing.
“Guardians and parents are reminded to be mindful of the people that they entrust with their children’s care and also to be vigilant when it comes to protecting children, the mentally challenged and any other vulnerable persons from sexual predators,” the NPA added.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) findings of last year noted that at least 22 women were raped daily in Zimbabwe with an average of one rape taking place per 75 minutes translating to an average of 646 women being violated each month.
