Mutare Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Facilitating Daughter’s Rape

Mutare, Zimbabwe – March 1, 2025

A 43-year-old woman from Penhalonga has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for facilitating the rape of her 6-year-old daughter in 2022. The shocking details of the case have left the community reeling, as the court heard how the mother played an active role in the abuse.

According to court records, the woman assisted an unidentified adult male in raping her young daughter. The horrific incident occurred one afternoon shortly after the child returned home from school. The mother reportedly undressed the child while the man sat watching on the bed. She then instructed the child to lie down, allowing the man to carry out the assault while she sat nearby, observing from a chair in the bedroom.

The crime came to light in April 2024 when the child, now living with her grandmother, began showing signs of urinary incontinence. Concerned for the child’s health, the grandmother sought medical attention, leading to the child revealing the traumatic abuse. During this time, the child disclosed the role her mother played in the incident, leading to the mother’s arrest and subsequent conviction.

The sentencing has prompted widespread condemnation from child rights advocates and community leaders, who are calling for greater protection measures for vulnerable children. Meanwhile, authorities are still working to identify the male perpetrator, urging anyone with information to come forward.

This deeply disturbing case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers some children face within their own homes and underscores the importance of vigilance and intervention to protect innocent lives.

For support or to report cases of child abuse, community members are