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Machisi angers men
Padare/Enkundleni/Men's Forum on Gender
November 03, 2010

Padare/Enkundleni/Men's Forum on Gender and its 65 men's network' countrywide is greatly angered and disturbed by the raping of the four year old girl in a collapsed grave (Herald, 3 November 2010). This has come amongst other rape cases reported since the beginning of the year which have not been brought to book. Rape should not be tolerated, this has been used as an instrument of abuse to women and girls and apparently the rapists not repented. Zimbabwean culture should not be silent on these cases, as this border on it being sexist and against women. Violence should never be used as a way for anyone to gets what they want.

We are identifying our self with men who don't believe in raping women and girls. We feel that our silence is an endorsement of the act and is collaborating with the perpetrators. As men we are standing up and saying enough is enough, no to rape against women and girls in Zimbabwe and elsewhere. We will continue to examine how we as men have become complicit in rape - prone society and how we can contribute actively to a rape free society. By taking up action on men raping women, we do not mean to discount the experiences of men who have been raped by women. But because men raping women is by far the most frequent occurrence we are dedicated to taking action on this form of rape.

We deplore the behaviour of the stepfather who wants to negotiate an out of court settlement with a rapist. How on earth can you marry a four year old, its criminal. We support Cde Yondo's effort in bringing this matter up and The Herald for reporting it. We want to stop all rituals forthwith that encourage use of rape to solve the so called problems. We are calling on ZINATHA to issue out a statement to bogus traditional leaders.

Imagine if this four year old daughter was Noku Wamwanduka, the Padare Programmes Director. Imagine if it was your daughter, imagine if it was your brother's kid of sister, and imagine if it was a relation of a powerful member of the Zimbabwean society.

Padare notes that our consciousness raising strategy of working with men and boys needs to be corresponded with social action to ensure that all rapists are brought to book. We will continue to hold men accountable for their actions when they harm women and girls. Men must break the culture of silence; they must speak out against RAPE, oppression and violence against women. We are coming together with a common goal of ensuring a rape free Zimbabwe.

We are closed for business today and we are mobilising our men's groups in Harare to search for Machisi the rapist. Padare is offering a one thousand dollar reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the rapist.

We call on all men in Zimbabwe to speak out against rape as a form of abuse on women and girls.

Background

Girl (4) raped in collapsed grave
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
November 03, 2010

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=4518&cat=1&livedate=11/3/2010

In a suspected ritual act, a man from a farm near Norton (name supplied) was reportedly caught raping his friend's four-year-old stepdaughter in a collapsed grave.

An alleged attempt by the 27-year-old suspect — only identified as Machisi — to drown himself in a dam failed when several young men pulled him out of the water.

However, in between a police report being made and officers rushing to the scene, Machisi had escaped the angry mob and has not been seen since.

Norton police arrived on the scene at about the same time as officers from Marimba Police Station after local businesswoman and politician Cde Sheila Mabasa, popularly known as CdeYondo, and others reported the case.

Marimba police are investigating the matter.

Sources said Machisi allegedly committed the crime two days after separating from his wife.

The incident occurred when the girl's parents had gone for a funeral.

It is alleged Machisi, who used to work with the girl's aunt at a traditional healer's shrine, took the girl from the farm compound to a graveyard,

Indications are that he found a grave which had collapsed and raped the girl in the depression.

However, war veteran Cde Nelson Ndarasika — who was on his way from a neighbouring village — heard the child crying as he passed by and stopped to investigate.

In an interview yesterday, he said: "I saw a man clad in a blue worksuit abusing the girl in a collapsed grave. The girl was naked and Machisi's trousers were lowered to knee level.

"He pleaded with me saying 'Mudharatinotaurirana' (my friend, we can resolve this between us).

"I told him he had committed a crime and I refused to negotiate with him. That is when he ran away. I raised alarm and villagers gave chase, but he threw himself in a dam."

A group of men dived in after him and pulled him out as he was drowning.

It is unclear how Machisi managed to escape his captors, but by the time police arrived he was nowhere to be found.

Afterwards, the girl's stepfather and other relatives reportedly tried to get the criminal charges withdrawn so that they could handle the matter through traditional structures.

However, members of the community refused to allow Machisi to be let off the hook.

Village head Mr Albert Madzongo yesterday said he refused to handle the matter because it was a clear police case.

"They wanted me to settle the matter traditionally, saying they were related. The girl's stepfather had a distant relationship with Machisi and I felt he was not the biological father and the matter was a clear police case.

"We do not accept such elements in our society. The law should take its course."

The girl was taken to Norton Hospital where a medical examination was conducted.

CdeYondo castigated child sexual abuse saying: "Such people are very dangerous and they should face the wrath of the law.

"If convicted, sexual abusers should be removed from society for lengthy periods."

Machisi reportedly spent most of his time at the local traditional healer's shrine and the community believes the alleged rape might be linked to ritual acts.

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