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Freeman Razemba in CHIREDZI
FIFTY-THREE children were raped in Chiredzi last year alone and police in the district have expressed concern over the abuse of minors.
In 2013, 41 children were raped in the district.
Speaking at the launch of the Anti-Sexual Violence Campaign at Chiredzi Christian College recently, Officer Commanding Chiredzi District Chief Superintendent Engelbert Wilson said rape cases were on the increase.

“Raping of children is increasing in our district. If we look at the figures, they show that the number is increasing, meaning the perpetrators are continuing to rape our innocent and helpless children.

“Young girls from the age of two months up to 16 years and young women below the age of 40 years are the main victims of rape.”
Chief Supt Wilson said most of the perpetrators were fathers, close relatives, strangers, pastors, false prophets, teachers and herd boys.

He said some of the reasons given for commission of the offence included belief that it cured HIV and Aids.
Chief Supt Wilson said some perpetrators of rape sometimes bribed the victims with money or goodies or threatened them with death to keep them from reporting the abuse.

Officer Commanding Operations in the district Superintendent Juliana Mbiriri said there was need to engage the community in fighting rape.
The campaign was sponsored by the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development Association (ZSDA).

ZSDA chairman Mr Edmore Veterai urged farmers to continue supporting programmes that assist women and children in the
area, especially in the fight against rape.

Chief Tshovani, Mr Felix Mundau, urged young girls to immediately report rape cases to the police.
The launch was attended by farmers, schoolchildren, legislators, gender activists and senior Government officials.