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| Protest against child rape illustration |
Many people are outraged at the injustice done to an 8-year-old girl.
The child from Mutare, Zimbabwe, was denied justice because her parents are fighting to block the prosecution of a child rapist.
Their reasoning is that they want to preserve their family relationships.
The girl was raped by her paternal grandfather, who is 52-years-old. He was arrested and charged.
However, the case was delayed because the parents are now refusing to cooperate with police.
They have also filed affidavits to withdraw their claims against the accused.
In a letter to the court, the father of the girl outlined the reasons for refusing to press charges against his own father.
“I want to drop the charges against my father, the defendant, because of the following reasons,” he wrote.
1. We had a meeting as a family and decided that this case is resolved within the family.
2. The accused apologized and the whole family accepted his apology.
3. We have resolved to maintain a good relationship with the accused.
4. The defendant has a family to care for, and if sent to prison his health and his family will suffer.
5. As the eldest son of the defendant, I have voluntarily withdrawn this case without any force or influence of anyone.
The girl's mother also wrote a statement regarding seeking the withdrawal of the case.
Attorney Caleb Mutandwa said that the attempt by the parents to have the matter withdrawn is a violation of the child's right to protection.
“Whoever tries to hide or influence the child to remove charges is committing a crime of obstruction of justice, and that person should be charged," Mutandwa said.