Two men have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 4-year-old girl in Mutoko, Zimbabwe.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, police said the incident occurred on June 22, 2023, at Hurumutumbu Business Centre. According to the police, Pedo Samu (52) and Godfrey Gatsi (38) kidnapped the girl on her way home from school. Pedo Samu admitted to intending to kill the victim for ritual purposes after being promised US$1500.00 by Godfrey Gatsi. The police investigation also revealed that the young girl was sexually abused. Reads the police report posted on Twitter:
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Police in Mutoko have arrested Pedo Samu (52) and Godfrey Gatsi (38) in connection with a case of kidnapping which occurred on 22/06/23 at Hurumutumbu Business Centre in which an ECD pupil (4) was abducted on her way home from school.
Pedo Samu allegedly confessed that he intended to kill the victim for ritual purposes after being promised US$1500.00 by Godfrey Gatsi. Investigations by the police established that the victim was sexually abused.
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Ritual-related murders in Zimbabwe are a growing problem, with vulnerable individuals often targeted for their body parts believed to have supernatural powers.
The recent case comes when the murder case of 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore in September 2020 which sparked outrage and calls for justice is yet to be concluded. His body was discovered without a head, and it is believed that his body parts were used for ritual purposes.
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Zimbabwe Police Arrest Two Men For Raping 4-Year-Old Girl

Police in Harare have expressed concern over an increase in rape cases involving minor children.
ZRP spokesperson in Harare Province, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza urged parents and guardians to be vigilant and take proactive steps to protect their children from harm.
He also called upon parents to monitor their children’s online activities and ensure they are not exposed to potential sexual predators. Said Insp Chakanza:
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In one of the cases, police arrested and released a 15-year-old boy into the custody of his guardian for raping a 9-year-old girl.
The boy once stayed at the same house as the girl in Kuwadzana.
Sometime in September 2019, the girl’s mother went to meet her brother at a footbridge in Kuwadzana 3 leaving the girl alone at home.
The accused person took advantage and invited the girl to their room and raped her.
He threatened to assault her if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
On another date in October 2019, the girl’s mother went to town leaving her at home, and the accused lured her to the bathroom and raped her. He threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
In the same month, the boy followed the girl to the toilet and raped her.
The matter came to light last month when the girl visited her grandmother in Masvingo for the school holidays when she disclosed the matter to her.
A report was lodged on May 20 leading to the arrest of the accused person.
He was released into the custody of his guardian and the victim was referred to the Family Support Clinic for medical examination.
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He said in another case, a 12-year-old boy raped a 10-year-old girl in Glen Lorne. Said Insp Chakanza:
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The girl and the boy’s uncle are tenants at a house in the suburb.
The boy visited his uncle for last year’s December school holidays.
The boy invited the girl to play with him in the garage.
He raped the girl and threatened to assault her if she told anyone.
The boy returned to Glen Lorne for the April school holidays and raped the complainant again in the garage.
The boy told his friend what he did to the girl and the friend told the girl’s mother.
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He said the Police have a zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse and will ensure that rapists are arrested and prosecuted.
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