Masvingo (New Ziana) – A 55-year-old Mashava man appeared in court in Masvingo on Wednesday charged with raping a girl, five at the time, shockingly, over a period of five years.

Even more shocking, the court heard, this was done, allegedly, with the knowledge of the man’s wife and the girl’s aunt.

The girl, now 14 and in high school in Harare, is the daughter of the wife’s sister, and stayed with the couple at the time of the alleged abuse.

The alleged sexual abuse, according to evidence led in court, started when the girl was in Grade Zero, and occurred religiously twice a week over the five year period.

It was only discovered when the girl was taken to Harare to stay with other relatives when the man’s wife died.

The man denies the charges.

Evidence produced in court includes medical affidavits detailing injuries to the girl’s vagina, and enlarged features on her private parts inconsistent with her age.

New Ziana