By Dalphine Tagwireyi
Police in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe have arrested the father of the eight year old girl who was raped and impregnated.
The minor who is currently admitted at the United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) is currently 33 weeks pregnant and under medical supervision.
It’s alleged that the father raped the girl after a prophet instructed him to do so to cleanse his bad luck.
“It’s disheartening that in this day and age we still have people who believe in such nonsense, the life of his daughter is in jeopardy and what he did was heartless,” a police source said.
He further added that the father working in cahoots with the self-styled prophets claimed that the minor’s bulging stomach showed that she had been bewitched.
“Everyone who was involved in covering up this heinous crime should also be arrested including the mother of the minor, how could she fall for the lies her husband and his partners in crime were feeding her,” he asked.
Police have confirmed to Scrolla.Africa that the father was taken in to assist them with pending investigations.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that as investigations are ongoing, the father will be instrumental in establishing how the minor was abused.
“Investigations are under-way and the father of the minor has been arrested and once the investigation is concluded, we will share the details,” he said.
Civic organisations have voiced their outrage over the issue and said there is a need to support young girls who are most affected from impoverished communities.
Real Open Opportunities for Transformation Support (ROOTS) Programmes Coordinator Nyasha Mantosi said that the law should take its course and resources should be available to the minor as her body is not ready to give birth.
“She needs our support, as she is still young and giving birth will be a tantamount task as her mental health will also be affected, so we need to pool resources together and ensure that she is protected,” she said.
