Rezende Rank Arrest: Suspect Held Over Grade 7 Sexual Assault

Harare police arrest Givemore Mutape over the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl at Rezende Parkade rank (image source)

Lead: Harare police arrested a suspect, identified as Givemore Mutape, in connection with the sexual assault of a 13-year-old Grade 7 pupil at the Rezende Parkade rank on 19 July, following a tip that led to his identification at the same commuter rank where the offence occurred.

The most newsworthy fact: the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the arrest after the victim’s delay in reporting and subsequent school inquiry led to disclosure; witnesses at the busy Rezende rank say touting and passenger harassment created the opening the suspect exploited to lure the child into a parked Toyota Hiace where the assault occurred.

Police statements and court briefings outline the sequence: the girl had travelled into town to collect money and was returning when touts allegedly blocked her access to vehicles; the accused purported to help, escorted her into a parked kombi, locked the doors and sexually assaulted her before fleeing. The victim later confided in school authorities; she received medical attention at Parirenyatwa Hospital and the police opened an investigation after the disclosure.

Community reaction has been one of outrage and renewed calls for safety at commuter ranks. Commuter associations and rank operators told reporters that touting and rank violence have made women and children vulnerable at peak times and called for better policing and visible security at transport hubs. An eyewitness at Rezende described tense scenes on the morning in question and urged quicker intervention by police patrols during busy periods.

Experts emphasise prevention and survivor support. Child protection specialists point to delayed reporting as a common barrier to prosecution and care, while traumatic stress counsellors recommend immediate psychosocial support for victims and family liaison to maintain evidence chains.

Background: Sexual crimes in public transport spaces reflect a broader problem across urban Zimbabwean nodes where informal transport networks intersect with dense pedestrian flows and limited formal oversight. Previous reporting on rank violence has highlighted the role of touting gangs in obstructing passengers and fostering unsafe environments; policy responses have included community policing pilots and calls for stronger municipal enforcement.

Legal process and outlook: With an arrest secured, prosecutors will determine charges and likely seek remand pending evidence gathering and medical reports. The case’s progression will test investigative follow-through where initial reporting was delayed. Child protection NGOs say ensuring the victim’s welfare and avoiding retraumatisation in court processes must be priorities.