Zimpapers Logo

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
A Harare man allegedly raped and impregnated his 13-year-old daughter, the court heard yesterday. The 44-year-old man (name withheld to protect the identity of the victim) is said to have raped the girl on two occasions while his wife was away.

It is alleged that he would sneak into her blankets during the night before raping her.

The man yesterday appeared before magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo charged with two counts of rape.

He was not asked to plead to the charges.

Mr Makomo granted him bail with the State’s consent and his trial date has been set for April 11.

He is being represented by Ms Purity Chikangaise.

Prosecuting, Mr Peter Kachirika alleged that sometime in October last year, the teenage girl was sleeping in her room when she felt that there was someone sleeping behind her.

It is said that the girl then turned around in an attempt to see who was behind her, but the person disappeared in the darkness.

According to the State, the 13-year-old felt that it was her father, but she did not tell anyone when she woke up the following day.

On January 4 this year, at around midnight, the girl, the court heard, was surprised to see her father walking out of the kitchen where she was sleeping in.

Her mother had gone to Chipinge when the incident occurred.

She later noticed that her skirt was wet but she did not report the sexual abuse to anyone.

The matter came to light when the girl’s school mates revealed to the authorities that she was pregnant.

She was referred to hospital for medical examinations and it was proved that she was already five months pregnant. She then revealed that her father was responsible.

The matter was reported to the police leading to her father’s arrest.