Senate President: Arrest perpetrators of violence and abuse

The Senate President and ZANU PF Women’s League leader, Cde Mabel Chinomona, has urged law enforcement agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and child marriages.

Senator Chinomona’s clarion call follows recent revelations by the Ministry of Women Affairs, which reported a total of 685 cases of sexual abuse and gender-based violence recorded in the first six months of 2025.

“The ZANU PF Women’s League is deeply concerned about the rise in cases of domestic violence occurring across the country.

“The issue of child marriages is particularly troubling. It undermines the national Vision 2030 goal of having empowered women.

“Sexual abuse continues to haunt us. How can we envision a future for our young girls when they are being traumatised?

“We urge the police to arrest these perpetrators, and for our courts to impose stiffer penalties,” said Senator Chinomona.

The Ministry of Women Affairs indicated that high incidences of gender-based violence in Harare have been reported in areas such as Epworth, Hopley, and Caledonia.

In Bulawayo, cases have been recorded in Cowdray Park, Inglezi Mine, Cabatsha, Makokoba, Entumbane, and Lobengula.

“In rural areas, districts such as Hurungwe, Kariba, Chipinge, Mbire, Mudzi, and Bulilima have reported high prevalence of child marriages,” the Ministry stated.

According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Mashonaland Central has the highest prevalence rate of child sexual abuse at 49.5 percent, followed by Mashonaland West at 42 percent and Mashonaland East at 37.8 percent.

Senator Chinomona also expressed concern over the recent surge in murder cases involving women.

She added that the judiciary should set a strong precedent by imposing harsher penalties on offenders.

ALSO READ : RBZ Starts Printing Enhanced ZiG Banknotes with New Design

Source – TheZimbabweTimes