A 15-year-old Shurugwi girl who recently gave birth after she was allegedly raped and impregnated by her father is so traumatised that she is refusing to breastfeed the baby.
According to Masvingo Mirror, the juvenile mother (name concealed to protect her) also recently dumped the child and left to join her mother’s family in Gutu.
The baby is said to be now under the care of a well-known orphanage in Shurugwi.
The accused father (name supplied) who stays in Shurugwi Sebanga Extension appeared recently before Shurugwi Magistrate Percy Mukumba and was remanded in prison to 11 August 2021.
Prosecuting, Tafadzwa Guzete said that on 9 October 2020, the accused brought her daughter to Chrome Mine Site Lundi Bridge, Shurugwi.
During her stay in Shurugwi, the father raped the complainant on several occasions after telling her that he was fulfilling certain rituals, resulting in the pregnancy.
The matter came to light when the complainant narrated her ordeal to her maternal grandmother who reported the case to the police leading to the father’s arrest.
After giving birth, the complainant refused to breastfeed the baby saying it was a product of a forced incestuous engagement with her father.
The maternal grandmother called the Department of Social Welfare which took the child to an orphanage.
The court is awaiting DNA results to prove paternity.