Terrence Mawawa, Chivhu| In yet another incident of child sexual abuse, a 69 year old Chivhu man raped his four year old daughter in a suspected ritual act.
Aaron Mafika was not asked to plead when he appeared before Chivhu Magistrate Denis Mangota on Monday facing rape charges.
Sometime in May 2016, Mafika called his child to the bedroom while her mother was away.
The child went into the bedroom and sat on Mafika’s thighs and he proceeded to give her sour milk to drink. Mafika then placed her down and raped the minor. He ordered the minor not to tell anyone about the matter and threatened her with unspecified action.
When the minor’s mother returned she took her to hospital because she had developed wounds on her private parts.
At the clinic the minor disclosed the matter to a nurse in her mother’s presence. The matter was reported to the police leading to Mafika’s arrest.
Cases of child sexual abuse have been on the increase in the past few months.
Children’s rights organisations have strongly condemned paedophilic behaviour, calling for stern measures against perpetrators of such crime.
“We are deeply worried about the increase in the cases of child sexual abuse. Some people consult traditional healers who instruct them to perform bizarre acts-including the abuse of minors. We strongly condemn paedophilic behaviour,” said Edmore Muchechetere, a social commentator and Sociology graduate.