A Macheke couple appeared before Marondera magistrate Ignatius Mhene on Wednesday facing charges of raping their biological children.
According to court papers, the father (41) raped his nine-year-old daughter while the mother sexually abused her 11-year-old son.
The children’s mother allegedly found her husband raping their daughter in their bedroom and did not report the matter to the police.
She reportedly lured their son into her matrimonial bedroom and raped him.
The matter came to light when the two minors were caught having sex by their uncle whom they had visited in Mutoko.
Rev Nyanhete, of the Zimbabwe Network for Children Welfare, condemned the alleged abuse as barbaric and shameful. Said Nyanhete:
We condemn that kind of barbaric act. It’s painful that we have such people who are so ruthless to their children to such an extent.
I think those parents are not suitable parents.
The Government should deny them the right to keep on living with their children.
Shamwari Yemwanasikana’s Ekeria Chifamba said there is a need to intensify awareness campaigns about child protection in the country. She said:
Sadly, the perpetrators, in this case, are parents who are supposed to provide safety nets for their children.
It’s disheartening to imagine the trauma of being sexually exploited by the most trusted people in your life, who are supposed to be your shield and strength.
We need to intensify awareness campaigns about child protection.
Let the message be heard and shared in churches, communities, schools, and on various social media platforms.
Our judiciary has to be harsh on parents who fail to fulfill their rights and responsibility toward their children.
Let the policies enacted be fully implemented.
The accused couple should be given a harsh sentence to deter would-be offenders from committing similar offences.
| H-Metro