Father (37) Rapes Own Daughter (13), Jailed 20 Years
n By Delicious Mathuthu n nn n Harare - A 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years effective imprisonment by the Bindura Regional Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 28, after being convicted of raping his biological 13-year-old da
anostrofy By Delicious Mathuthu
Harare - A 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years effective imprisonment by the Bindura Regional Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 28, after being convicted of raping his biological 13-year-old daughter.
The assault took place on 1 November 2025 inside the family home.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) the man forced his daughter into the bedroom and forced himself on her.
“...the offender called the complainant to the bedroom of their home. Upon her arrival, he grabbed her by the neck, forcibly dragged her into the room and raped her,” the NPAZ said in a statement.
The child’s mother intervened after hearing screams.
“Upon entering the room, she found the complainant with her panties on, and the accused seated on the bed with his shorts unzipped,” the prosecution authority said.
In a strongly worded reaction, the NPAZ condemned the sexual violence as heinous.
It described the father’s actions as a grave betrayal of parental responsibility and a violation of the most fundamental rights of the child.
"The 20-year effective sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and to send a clear message: sexual abuse of children will not be tolerated,” the NPAZ said.
The authority called on families and communities to increase vigilance.
“We urge families and communities to remain vigilant, to protect children within the home, and to report any suspicions of abuse without delay,” it said, adding, “the justice system stands firm in its duty to safeguard the dignity, safety, and future of every child.”
Incest and child sexual abuse are believed remain deeply sensitive in Zimbabwe, where many cases go unreported because of family pressure and social stigma.
The Bindura conviction also comes amid growing calls for tougher enforcement of child-protection laws, and at a time the world is commemorating the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence observed between November 25 and December 10 every year.
