Man rapes stepdaughter (12) multiple times for two years

By Staff Reporter

In an egregious violation of trust, a 40-year-old Harare man allegedly raped his now 14-year-old stepdaughter multiple times since she was 12, threatening her with death if she revealed the abuse to anyone.

Police spokesperson for Harare province Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed receiving a report of rape against the suspect, adding that the abuse started in 2023 when the minor was in Grade 5.

The family resides in Kuwadzana, Harare.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) would like to confirm the continual sexual abuse of a 14-year-old minor, who recently finished writing her Grade Seven examinations, by her stepfather who was also living with her mother for a period dating back to two years ago,” said Inspector Chakanza in a statement.

Chakanza said sometime in 2023 whilst the minor was in Grade 5 at a local school, the suspect went into her room when she was dressing up, preparing to go to school to make some sexual advances towards her. She refused.

“Her mother is in the daily business of selling chickens at Kuwadzana 1 Shopping Centre and she spends most of her time away from home,” said Chakanza.

“This created fertile ground for the suspect to abuse her stepdaughter as he spends most of his time at home since he has been off-colour for some time now.”

The suspect threatened to beat up the minor if she continued to turn down his advances but she did not give in.

He then forcibly undressed and pushed her onto the floor, raping her once without using protection, police said.

The juvenile did not tell anyone about the abuse following death threatens not to, by the suspect.

The abuse allegedly continued until October this year.

“The issue came to light on 8 October when the suspect beat up the juvenile – accusing her of failing to bath her little sister properly – when she decided to confide in her mother’s friend, who went on to blow the whistle,” said Chakanza.

He was arrested and charged with rape.