Grace Kwinjeh|Outspoken girl child rights activist Betty Makoni, has had the last laugh today, after she against all odds won a long drawn battle against Bikita West MP Munyaradzi Kereke, who has been convicted and sentenced for raping his wife’s 11 year old niece in 2010. However, Makoni says a 14 year sentence for the rape is not enough, Kereke should pay for terrorising this family too.
Makoni who raised the alarm 5 years ago, soon after the rape was “committed” told ZimEye.com in an exclusive interview,  ” this ruling was actually long overdue, given that all evidence was there, in 72 hours, the case could have been solved. The system can be unjust at times, through this case they have untangled some of the corrupt practises within the justice system.”

Makoni narrated her ordeal over the case with the recently sacked Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana, “I talked to Tomana many times and demanded that he releases the docket, he did not, this file was complete, certified by a medical doctor from government, how could government reject its own evidence, collected by its own reputable professionals?”

Makoni dismissed theories that this case suffered delays and manipulation because of the prolonged Zanu PF factionalism,” I interviewed the child myself I sent private investigators to talk to the child, but she was threatened, Kereke threatened the family. This case has nothing to do with Zanu PF, Gono is not part of this, Kereke must be very honest, this case is a clear rape one: Dad rapes daughter, this is one of them.”
Makoni urged the public in their general analysis and interpretation to see beyond Zanu PF factionalism and understand the patriarchal nature of Zimbabwean society in which rape within the family institution is rampant and at times swept under the carpet.
“I want to appeal to the public this has nothing to do with politics and the Reserve Bank, that uncle can rape you, these are just men who are pedophiles in their own right; that has nothing to do with their political parties, after political parties, you are going back home, how do you treat women?” Makoni told ZimEye.
“I pursued Kerere as a criminal, a rapist not as a politician, the child did not say Kerereke, she said uncle,” continued Makoni.
Makoni gave examples of how powerful rapists or paedophiles abuse the justice or political systems for cover up, giving an example of Obadiah Msindo, who then lied to President Robert Mugabe about her, to cover up his crimes.
Makoni further lamented that the case has taken so long before being concluded; “No justice delayed is justice denied, we should be principled and ethical.
“How can you give justice with such pain, how many people can afford private prosecution? For children who come from rural areas, do not tell me that government could not face Kereke.”
“If you rape a child you attack the state, so if the state cannot protect you what is your fate?,” asked Makoni.