Police in Bulawayo are looking for a man who allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl in Bellevue suburb last week and are appealing to members of the public to assist them by coming forward with any information that may lead to his arrest.
The name of the suspect believed to be in his mid-30s has been withheld to protect the minor.
Bulawayo police Spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, told CITE investigations into the case involving the man who is on the run were underway.
“We received a report where a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a known person and investigations are in progress,” said Inspector Ncube.
“We are seeking for any information that may lead to the arrest of this accused person.”
One of the sources who spoke to CITE said the perpetrator is a well-known person within the family.
“The victims’ mother and the (alleged) perpetrator’s mother are friends; the victim grew up calling the perpetrator uncle since he was well known at home,” said the source.
“Every time the victim went to the shops and would meet the suspect, he would force to drive her back home, no harm was done then and the victim did not suspect anything. On this particular day, it was on a Sunday around 5pm when the victim thought to go to the shops to download something through WIFI since it’s a lockdown. She met the perpetrator along the way who offered to take her to the shops to conduct her business and as usual she didn’t see anything sinister about that.”
The source further explained: “The victim sat at the front seat as the perpetrator’s two friends had already occupied the back seat. The perpetrator told the victim that they had to proceed to some shopping centre in Bellevue before proceeding to the shops where the victim wanted to download her stuff.”
The source added: “When the victim tried to tell the perpetrator that she was late for home, the perpetrator told her not to worry as her grandmother would not have a problems as long as he was with her.”
Along the way the victim asked for water, the source said, and the perpetrator offered her some but immediately felt dizzy soon after consuming only to gain consciousness the following day around 4pm with the perpetrator’s friend pulling her leg.
“After waking up she went outside and found the perpetrator plotting with other men about how to solve the situation,” further explained the source.
“Others suggested to run her over but the perpetrator refused after which they threw her over a precast wall.”
The victim, the source said, ran home and narrated the ordeal to her grandmother after which a report was made to the police.
Tests were done at United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) and proved that penetration had happened.
The source said the family has however been receiving threats from the alleged perpetrator’s relatives since the incident occurred.
Meanwhile, Inspector Ncube warned people who are fond of abusing women and children that the long arm of the law would catch up with them soon.
Greetings.
According to what i know these peolle were in a relationship and this lady was warned to stay away from this guy.the guy had also sent messages that she stays away. I doubt tht we can call it rape because this lady has said she was of age