Five men have been arrested in Shamva following allegations of sexually abusing an underage girl.
The arrests followed a coordinated response involving traditional leaders, police and social development officials.
Community members first raised concerns about a villager who repeatedly bought contraceptives for the minor.
Those concerns reached traditional leaders, who then launched further inquiries into the allegations.
Investigators subsequently uncovered claims involving several men from the community.
According to Chief Bushu, the accused men allegedly took turns sexually abusing the girl.
Community concerns lead to arrests
Chief Bushu said authorities acted after receiving information about the alleged abuse.
“We found out that one man was buying contraceptives for this child and that he, together with other men in the community, was taking advantage of her and sleeping with her,” said Chief Bushu.
Officials then worked together to identify and apprehend the suspects.
“The Department of Social Development brought the issue to us, and I immediately engaged the officer-in-charge (ZRP). Together, we came up with a strategy to catch these men, and they were arrested.”
Chief Bushu explained why authorities referred the case to the police.
He said the allegations involved criminal offences beyond the powers of traditional courts.
Campaign highlights child protection
Authorities discovered the alleged abuse through the “Not in My Village” campaign.
The campaign encourages communities to confront harmful practices affecting children and adolescents.
It operates through cooperation between traditional leaders, families, schools and other community structures.
The Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs and National AIDS Council spearhead the initiative.
The United Nations Population Fund supports the campaign through its Safeguard Young People Programme.
The Health Resilience Fund also provides support to the initiative.
Furthermore, the campaign brings together police officers, social welfare officials and religious leaders.
Parents, teachers and other community representatives also participate in its activities.
The initiative targets child marriages, teenage pregnancies and sexual abuse.
It also seeks to reduce new HIV infections among adolescents.
The post Five Men Arrested in Shamva Over Alleged Sexual Abuse of Underage Girl appeared first on iHarare News.
