Marshall BwanyaHarare—The harrowing rape of a three-year-old girl at a drug den in Warren Park 1, Harare has ignited fresh demands for a tougher crackdown on substance abuse.
This incident has fuelled accusations of police inaction and deepened anxiety within the community.
The minor, whose name has been withheld, reportedly visited a residence in Warren Park 1 in Harare, accompanied by her mother (name withheld) who is alleged to have been struggling with substance abuse.
Court documents indicate that the girl and her mother stayed at the premises for some time, during which 52-year-old Sydney Makaya allegedly sexually abused the child on multiple occasions.
The abuse reportedly came to light when the child’s mother was arrested, and the girl moved in with her grandmother.
A family friend, Beauty Ncube, noticed unusual behaviour when the minor was urinating, prompting an interview in which the child disclosed the abuse.
A medical examination conducted on 26 July, 2025, under RRB number OB4715/25 and affidavit number 60429A, confirmed that the child had contracted a sexually transmitted infection, after which medication was prescribed for her.
Despite this evidence and an official report filed on the same day, Makaya was not arrested for nearly a month.
It was only on 24 August after the family lodged a formal complaint with the Victim Friendly Unit regarding the lack of police action, that Makaya was taken into custody.
Relatives of the sexually abused minor identified other named suspects who are were not arrested in connection with the case
“We are deeply frustrated with the investigating officer (named) who failed to conduct proper due diligence in this case,” said a relative of the victim.
“It was only after we lodged a formal complaint with the Victim Friendly Unit regarding the inaction that Makaya was finally taken into custody on 24 August.
Source: NewsHub Zimbabwe
Source: NewsHub Zimbabwe
