A 20-year-old woman from Garikai, Whitecliff North, Harare, has appeared in court alongside her 22-year-old husband over allegations that they were involved in the rape of her 10-year-old sister.
The woman is accused of helping her husband gain access to the minor before allegedly taking blood from the child for suspected ritual purposes.
The couple appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa facing two counts of rape. They were remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
The court heard that the complainant had travelled to Whitecliff on August 10, 2026, for a holiday.
It is alleged that about a week later, the complainant was sleeping in a room with her sister’s son when her brother-in-law entered.
The court heard that the complainant’s sister allegedly locked the door from outside before leaving her husband alone with the minor.
The husband is accused of raping the complainant before allegedly producing a knife and threatening her.
He allegedly then used a container to collect blood from the child.
According to the State, the complainant’s sister later returned in the morning, opened the door and allegedly left with her husband, carrying the container containing the blood.
The following day, the husband allegedly returned to the room and called his wife, who is accused of locking the door from outside while he allegedly raped the complainant again.
The matter came to light on September 15, 2026, when the complainant reportedly told her grandmother about the alleged abuse.
Her grandmother then assisted her in reporting the matter to the police, resulting in the couple’s arrest.
The complainant was referred to hospital for medical examination, with the medical report expected to be produced in court as evidence.