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A 44-year-old security guard whose name has been withheld to protect the victim, stands accused of repeatedly raping his 16-year-old daughter.
The alleged crimes took place between November and December 2024 at Jairos Jiri in Waterfalls, Harare. The case, which has seen the man being frowned upon and condemned, uncovers the grim reality of sexual violence within families and the vulnerabilities of young girls in Zimbabwe.
The accused, a resident of Retreat Farm in Waterfalls, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court on February 6, 2025, charged with rape as defined under Section 65 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act. According to court documents, the accused allegedly lured his daughter from their rural home in Gutu to Harare under the pretext of having her stay with an aunt. Instead, he took her to his workplace, where the abuse began.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
The state’s outline reveals harrowing details, the accused allegedly entered his daughter’s room at night, forcibly removed her clothes, and proceeded to rape her without protection. The abuse reportedly continued on multiple occasions, with the accused threatening the victim and her brother, to keep them silent. The matter came to light only after the complainant was taken to Mutero Hospital in Gutu, where it was discovered that she was pregnant. A medical examination confirmed the assault, and a formal report was filed with the police.
The accused’s initial bail application at the magistrate’s court was denied, prompting him to file a new application with the High Court. In his submission, he cited his Zimbabwean citizenship and offered a $100 bail deposit. He also listed two sureties, whose addresses were vaguely recorded.
However, the prosecution strongly opposed bail, citing the gravity of the offense and the appellent’s relationship to the victim. The state argued that the accused posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses, including his own children. The magistrate’s notes further revealed that the victim was seeking a termination of pregnancy, adding another layer of trauma to an already devastating case.
Zimbabwe has long struggled with high rates of GBV, with many cases involving close relatives or acquaintances.
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