By A Correspondent- A 30 year old man from Entumbane suburb has been arrested for allegedly raping his 11-year-old cousin after he promised to give her sweets.

The accused man cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor.

A source close to investigations said between August and September last year, the man was staying with the girl at a family house in Entumbane suburb. The mother of the child was in South Africa, where she works.

In September last year the man arrived home at around 9pm and invited the minor to his bedroom saying he wanted to give her sweets, said a family member who requested not to be named.

When the unsuspecting child got into his bedroom, he grabbed her by her neck while warning her not to scream. He threatened to kill her if she screamed, a family insider said.

He raped her and ordered her not to tell anyone about the rape ordeal.

“He told her that if ever she told anyone that he raped her he would kill her and throw her remains into a fire. The minor kept the horrendous act to herself. Sadly she suffered sores on her privates, causing her to walk with difficulty,” said a source.

Sometime in October 2020 her mother returned and took her to South Africa.

While she was in South Africa the tot revealed to her mother that she had been experiencing sharp pains in her private parts.

“She disclosed that she was raped by acousin and was afraid to tell anyone because he threatened to kill her if ever she told anyone. After the shocking revelation, her mother travelled back to Zimbabwe with the minor and reported the matter at Entumbane police station,” said a source.

The sex offender was arrested this week on Tuesday.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident: “I can confirm that we arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly raping his 11-year-old cousin,” she said.

She warned parents never to leave their daughters with male relatives, adding that every male had the potential of being a rapist and advised rape victims to report such cases within 72 hours so that they could get post exposure prophylaxis.

-BMetro