In a disturbing turn of events, a police officer stationed at Matapi Police Station in Mbare has been accused of rape and robbery. The alleged perpetrator, Tarisai Sithole (35), appeared before a Harare magistrate, facing charges of robbery and rape.
The harrowing incident unfolded on April 26th, when the female victim disembarked from a commuter omnibus at the Simon Mazorodze flyover in Harare. Sithole, accompanied by an accomplice who remains at large, reportedly approached the victim and forcibly took her to the nearby Pioneer Cemetery in Mbare.
Once at the cemetery, the accused and his accomplice allegedly robbed the victim of her bag, which contained her personal documents and belongings. The two men are then said to have taken turns raping the helpless woman.
The traumatized victim subsequently reported the matter to the ZRP Matapi police station. In a chilling twist, Sithole, who was off-duty and in civilian attire, entered the police station while the victim was filing her report. The victim was able to identify Sithole, who then allegedly threatened her, warning her not to report the incident.
Despite the intimidation, the victim bravely told the officers present that she had indeed been raped. Sithole was swiftly aarrested and brought before the Harare magistrate, where he was remanded out of custody until the trial date on July 9th.
This appalling case has once again highlighted the need for robust measures to protect vulnerable members of society, particularly in instances where the perpetrator is an individual entrusted with upholding the law.
