Man, 59, charged over rape of year-old infant

BULAWAYO – Police in Bulawayo have arrested a 59-year-old man accused of raping a 1-year-old infant he briefly took custody of and later returned with ‘swollen’ privates and semen in her nappies.

According to a report file in Bulawayo’s Hillside police station, the suspect Phathisani Thebe of Banda Homestead at Hope Fountain, visited the infant’s home as usual.

Thebe, who normally takes up menial jobs at the victim’s home, allegedly found the minor in the company of her 14-year-old sister after the siblings’ mother had left for the city centre for some family tasks.

Thebe casually took the infant away and disappeared for some 30 minutes with her.

He reportedly returned with the baby crying.

The incident came to light when the mother of the baby later found her still crying.

While changing her nappies, she allegedly discovered some semen in the infant’s linen while her private parts were reportedly swollen.

The victim’s sister narrated what she knew about the incident.

A rape report was filed at Hillside Police leading to Thebe’s arrest. — _*ZimLive*_