Arron Nyamayaro
A Chitungwiza butcher was arrested for raping and impregnating a 12-year-old girl.
Farai Chezhira (27) of Unit O in Seke was reported to have lured the Grade 6 girl to his room at Big-H Butchery sometime in September last year where he reportedly raped her once.
The girl’s grandmother reported the abuse to the police after she noticed that her granddaughter was pregnant on February 6.
Upon further probing, it was discovered that Farai had abused the girl several months ago.
Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, said that on an unknown date in September last year at around 2pm, the girl was sent to Unit O Shopping Centre to buy some eggs.
She bumped into Farai who lured her into his butchery.
“The accused person then lured the complainant into a room behind the butchery where he raped her once without protection.
“The accused then threatened to kill the complainant if she disclosed the sexual abuse to anyone. The matter came to light when the complainant’s grandmother noticed that she was pregnant.
“The child was escorted to Edith Cooperman Clinic, Mbare, where it was confirmed that she was pregnant leading to the arrest of the suspect,” said Insp Chakanza.
Sexual abuse of teen girls is now a prevalent issue that needs to be addressed seriously, as it has now become all too common for older men to impregnate under-age girls.
Just two weeks ago, another sex predator Tatenda Zhanje was arrested following the death of 16-year-old Yeukai Dandara after giving birth to twins.
It later emerged that Tatenda had started sexually preying on his niece when she was 15 in Murehwa.
The two families chose to conceal the pregnancy and abuse, and advised the two to relocate to Harare where Yeukai died two weeks after giving birth via C-section.
Although Farai’s arrest maybe a symbolic win for the Seke schoolgirl’s family, she will now suffer to overcome the trauma of the abuse, adverse health and psychological effects of early motherhood like many other teen moms before her.
Farai should face the full force of the law for his heinous deeds to send a strong message against sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.
