By Dalphine Tagwireyi
The mother of a nine-year-old pregnant girl in Zimbabwe says she has gone into hiding after receiving threats from the self-proclaimed prophet who she says encouraged her daughter’s rape.
The mother has taken refuge in a safe house, while the child, who has not been named, remains under observation in hospital.
The mother told Scrolla.Africa that she has not told her child that she is carrying a baby.
“It hurts me because she continuously asks when her bulging stomach will become flat as she is now tired of being sick. How do I explain to my child that she will be having a baby?” her mother asked.
The child’s father was arrested last week on suspicion of raping his daughter. He was allegedly instructed by the prophet, who also remains unnamed, to rape his own daughter to cleanse his bad luck.
The mother, upon finding out what her husband had allegedly done, reported him to the police.
“When the prophet heard that my husband was arrested, and that I had told the police that he kept telling me that our child was bewitched, he paid a visit to our home in Tsholotsho,” she told Scrolla.Africa from an undisclosed location.
She said the prophet threatened her, warning that if he is implicated in the case of alleged rape and abuse of a minor he will make sure both the mother and child are never seen again.
“He also said that he had the power to make me lose my mind, so I reported him to the police. I will continue fighting for my daughter,” she said.
She said that she lives in fear as her husband’s family are also blaming her for the alleged abuse.
“My husband’s family were even saying that I am to blame and if their son receives a sentence, they will make my life a living hell,” she said.
The threats received have scared the child who up to now has not revealed what happened.
According to her mother, the girl alleges that she was visited by snakes and goblins which only slept with her when her mother was not around and when she was left in the care of her dad.
The mother said her heart has been shattered to pieces.
“I used to leave our daughter in his care and I never suspected that he would do something so despicable. As I recall, I noticed that he rushed to tell me that she was bewitched and he would visit a prophet who would also support his claim,” she said.
Matabeleland North Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Inspector Glory Banda, said that a case of intimidation was opened in Tsholotsho and it’s still an ongoing investigation.
Pictured above: The nine-year-old pregnant minor
Picture source: Supplied
