A 27-year-old man from Mabhidhi village, Beitbridge, is facing serious charges after allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in a crowded kombi at the Beitbridge Border Post. The incident took place on 23 December 2024.
The suspect, whose name has not been released to protect the identity of the victim, appeared in court and was remanded in custody until 10 January 2025 for trial. He faces charges of rape and indecent assault.
According to court testimony, the 14-year-old victim was travelling with her parents from South Africa to Zimbabwe in a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus. The accused was also a passenger in the same vehicle. The incident occurred while the victim’s parents were busy with customs clearance at the busy border post.
“On the 23rd of December 2024, the complainant was travelling with her parents from South Africa to Zimbabwe in a Toyota Hiace. The accused person was also a passenger in the same vehicle. They were at the Beitbridge Border Post when the incident occurred,” the court heard.
The court heard that the young girl remained in the kombi while her parents were processing their customs paperwork. The accused, who was also in the vehicle, allegedly took advantage of the situation.
“The 14-year-old complainant remained in the Toyota Hiace while her parents were processing customs clearance. The accused person was also present in the vehicle. He allegedly fondled the complainant’s breasts, inserted his fingers into her private parts before raping her. The matter came to light when the complainant asked her mother to accompany her to the toilet to change her clothes,” the court heard.
The victim’s mother, noticing her daughter’s distress, questioned her about the need to change clothes. It was then that the horrific details of the assault were revealed.
The complainant’s mother immediately reported the matter to the police at the Beitbridge border post, leading to the swift arrest of the accused. The incident highlights the serious security concerns at the border post, a location often crowded with people from various backgrounds, making it challenging to maintain a high level of safety and security for all.
The case has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of children travelling through the Beitbridge Border Post, one of the busiest border crossings in southern Africa. The sheer number of people passing through daily makes it a challenging environment to police effectively, and this case underscores the urgent need for improved security measures, particularly to protect vulnerable individuals such as children.
The accused’s remand until 10 January 2025 for trial indicates the seriousness with which the courts are treating this case.
