A senior officer of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) stationed at Zaka has been arrested for allegedly raping an 18-year-old married woman while she was in his custody.
The officer, whose name has been withheld, appeared before Masvingo Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura and is facing six counts of rape.
The alleged incidents took place on 2 and 3 September 2025 at ZRP Zaka.
Prosecutor Liberty Hove told the court that officers had received a report of malicious damage to property involving the woman’s husband. When detectives went to investigate, they could not find the husband but found his wife instead.
The woman was taken to ZRP Zaka after the local village head was informed, with instructions that the husband should come to collect her. Around 7.30 pm, she was reportedly left in the administration block where the accused officer was seated.
The officer allegedly offered the woman a place to sleep at his home, which she agreed to. The State alleges he then raped her four times that night, and again the next morning and afternoon before releasing her.
The woman reported the alleged rape to her grandmother and reunited with her husband three days later. The husband later found messages on his wife’s phone suggesting she had a relationship with the officer and filed a police report.
Related:
Magaya Appears In Court On Charges Of Raping Two Church Members
Questions Raised Over Prison Officer’s Death In Police Custody