HARARE – A 69-year-old man from Epworth has been arrested for allegedly raping his neighbour’s teenage daughter and infecting her with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Kingston Berejena was taken into custody on Tuesday, following the harrowing ordeal that occurred in December last year.
According to police reports, Berejena lured the 14-year-old victim into his room with the promise of sadza and beans, a staple Zimbabwean meal. After the girl and her younger sister, aged seven, had eaten, Berejena allegedly ordered the younger sister to leave.
Harare provincial deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Faith Mapisa confirmed the arrest, stating: “Police arrested an Epworth man for raping a minor child.”
Ass Insp Mapisa outlined the details of the case: “Circumstances are that the accused person and the complainant are not related but they reside at the same place of residence. On an unknown date in December 2024, during the day, the accused person invited the complainant and her young sister, aged seven, into his room.”
“The accused person gave the complainant and her younger sister sadza and beans and they ate. After the meal the accused person ordered Shantel, the younger sister, to leave his room.”
Once alone with the teenage girl, Berejena allegedly locked the door, pushed her onto the couch, covered her mouth, and raped her once without protection. He then allegedly threatened her with unspecified action, instilling further fear in the young victim.
The sexual assault came to light when the victim’s sister discovered that she had contracted an STI. The teenage girl then disclosed the horrific rape, leading to Berejena’s arrest.
“Accused person closed the door and locked it with the complainant inside, pushed the complainant onto the couch, closed the complainant’s mouth and raped her once,” Ass Insp Mapisa explained.
Following the disclosure, the victim was taken to Edith Hospital for a medical examination. “Complainant was escorted to Edith Hospital for medical examination,” said Ass Insp Mapisa.
Berejena is expected to appear in court soon to face charges of rape.
