A 24-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping three young girls in Makhaza.
The girls, aged 14, 15 and 16, from Zone 14, were on their way from Enkanini informal settlement on Friday 22 July, when they met the suspect who is known to them.
According to reports, the girls greeted the suspect who was with another man.
The three girls told City Vision, the culprit asked them to wait for him while he finished smoking with his friend.
After joining the trio he allegedly asked them to change direction and threatened to shoot them if they refused.
It is alleged the suspect and his friend took the girls to a house at 33 Section in Makhaza, where they forced them to take off their clothes.
The suspect reportedly instructed his friend to give their guest a “proper welcome” in one of the rooms.
The friend took the 14 year-old into a room where he allegedly raped her.
This, while the suspect undressed the 16 year-old and began raping her in full view of the 15-year-old.
“I pushed and wrestled with him until he penetrated me,” the 16-year-old said.
“When he was done he went to my friend (the 15 year-old) and started raping her too.”
She said she tried dragging him off the 15 year-old and she was slapped in the face.
“I am still very scared after what happened, and I can’t even sleep at night,” the terrified 14-year-old said.
“I never expected this from him because we knew him.”
Harare Police Station spokesperson Capt Siyabulela Vukubi confirmed the incident.
“The three girls were coming from Enkanini, where they had gone to do the hair of their friend on Friday 22 July at approximately 20:00,” he said.
“They were crossing the Chris Hani Train Station towards 37 block Makhaza when they were accosted by a male who is known to them.” Vukubi said.
The accused allegedly offered to accompany them, but when they refused he threatened them.
He said a case of rape was opened on Saturday 23 July and one of the suspects aged 24 was arrested on Sunday 24 July.
Lumkile Sizila of Amadoda Aqotho, an organisation that advocates for better men, lambasted the incident.
“We want to see justice served in this case,” he said.
“An example must be made of these young men, who deserve to spend no less than 15 years in jail for their actions.”