By Tabeth John

A 51-year-old man from Montdore Mine in Shamva has been arrested for allegedly raping his 15-year-old step-daughter.

Tendai Vheremu, who is expected to protect and provide for his step-daughter, took advantage of her while her mother was away.

According to court prosecutor Clever Nyapfani on March 4, 2025 the complainant’s mother left her at home while she went to find a piece job at a nearby homestead.

The complainant was sleeping in the bedroom hut feeling unwell while her cousins played outside.

Vheremu allegedly sneaked into the bedroom hut, removed the complainant’s pants, when the complainant asked him why he was removing her pant he remained silent and proceeded to rape her without protection.

After the incident, Vheremu threatened to kill the complainant if she disclosed anything to anyone.

The matter only came to light on March 9, 2025, when the complainant’s grandmother suspected that she had been sexually abused.

The complainant’s uncle accompanied her to report the matter to ZRP Shamva, leading to Vheremu’s arrest.

Vheremu has been charged with rape, as defined in Section 65 of the Criminal Codification and Reform Act 9.23.

He has pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to April 1, 2025.

The ZRP Mashonaland Central provincial spokesperson, Inspector Milton Mundembe, urged parents to take care of their children as entrusted by the law rather than abusing them