Mashonaland West police have launched a manhunt for a 25-year-old man accused of raping his niece in 2019 who was 14 years old at the time.
The alleged perpetrator, whose identity has not been publicly released, fled the scene after the incident and has remained at large until recently.
His actions came to light following a confession broadcast on Tinashe Mugabe’s DNA Show, which aired on 16 October 2024. The broadcast of the confession has sparked widespread public outrage and calls for justice.
The victim, now 19 years old, detailed her ordeal in a harrowing account on the show. She recounted how her uncle, after a football match, gave her beer, taking advantage of her vulnerable state to commit the rape. Through tears, she described the incident and the subsequent lack of support from some family members.
She explained that her other uncles initially downplayed the abuse, only offering support recently after her father learned that Peter, a close relative, was the father of her five-year-old child. The victim also revealed that her mother was aware of the incident but failed to intervene. The victim is now married and has a second child.
The alleged perpetrator, initially attempting to portray a romantic relationship with the victim, later confessed to the rape during the show. He admitted, “Yes ndakangomupindira mumagumbeze” (Indeed, I sneaked into her blankets and raped her), attempting to minimise his actions as mere recklessness.
The revelation that the perpetrator and the victim were uncle and niece added another layer of horror to the already disturbing situation. The video, which has since gone viral on social media, has prompted significant public reaction, with many demanding justice for the victim.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that investigations are underway. In a statement released on Friday, he said, “The ZRP has taken note of a video by Tinashe Mugabe DNA Show episode circulating on social media platforms in which a 19-year-old woman was allegedly raped by her uncle at the age of 14. In the video, the victim was allegedly sexually abused after a football match where the suspect gave her beer. The ZRP assures the public that investigations into the allegations are being conducted for the law to take its course.”
Commissioner Nyathi’s statement assures the public of the police’s commitment to bringing the perpetrator to justice.