A Harare father accused of assaulting his 10-month-old daughter and infecting her with an STI has been cleared, citing unreliable testimony and lack of concrete evidence.
Regional magistrate Mr Musaiona Shotgame ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a solid case. The decision was influenced by inconsistencies in the mother’s account and medical findings that did not conclusively prove sexual abuse.
Medical Testimony Points to Alternative Causes
During the trial, Dr Hussen Chapota, who examined the infant, testified that the child presented with genital ulcers and vaginal bleeding—symptoms which could indicate sexual abuse. However, Dr Chapota also noted these could equally be linked to malnutrition or infections unrelated to assault.
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“While the possibility of abuse could not be completely dismissed, we found the presence of the herpes virus, which might stem from factors other than sexual contact,” Dr Chapota told the court.
Mother’s Story Deemed Inconsistent
The child’s mother claimed that in October 2024 she caught the father pressing his genitals against their daughter’s private parts and mouth while she was bathing. She alleged he threatened her life if she revealed the incident and even confessed to causing another child’s death.
She stated that sores later appeared on the baby’s private areas and mouth, prompting her to seek treatment at Guruve Hospital, before being referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital. However, she only reported the matter to police nearly two months later, after her brother urged her to take action.
Father Cleared Of 10-Months-Old Infant Rape Allegations
Magistrate Shotgame highlighted that the mother delayed reporting because, as the court believed, no offence had occurred. He described her evidence as fragmented and not credible. The magistrate further remarked,
“Pressure from external parties seemed to compel her to make these allegations.”
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Ultimately, the court determined that the allegations lacked medical and factual backing. As a result, the accused was found not guilty on all counts, including two charges of rape and one of indecent assault. He was immediately released from custody.
The incident was alleged to have occurred in Hopley, Harare, but the court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the claims.
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The post Father Cleared Of 10-Months-Old Infant Rape Allegations appeared first on iHarare News.
