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Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
Housemaids and other domestic helpers should be vetted by law enforcement agents before they are employed to reduce cases of child abuse, an official has said.

Speaking at a crime watch outreach meeting held in Lower Gweru last week, Gweru Rural Community Relations Officer Assistant Inspector Kumbirai Nyoni said hiring unvetted people, exposes children to criminals.

“We appeal to parents to have their domestic helpers vetted by the police before they engage them. This makes it easier for such people to be traced, especially if they flee after committing crimes like theft and rape.

“Sometimes the people you hire would have committed crimes elsewhere before fleeing to seek refuge in your homes. So before hiring anyone, make sure the person you intend to hire is vetted by the police first” she said.

Assistant Inspector Nyoni said police are worried about increase of rape cases in the Midlands province.

“There has been an increase in rape cases in the province which is very worrisome and in most cases the victims are minors.

“We therefore encourage parents and guardians to always escort their children to school and also pick them up after school to prevent such incidences,” she said

She also urged parents to always report cases involving abuse of children and child marriages to the police.

“It is also important to always report cases of child marriages and child abuse whether you’re the guardians of the child or not. If you see your neighbour abusing a child under his/her custody, please make a police report immediately so that we can investigate such cases,” he said.

According to police statistics, Midlands Province has so far recorded 105 cases of rape since January compared to 102 cases under the same period last year.