Harare — POLICE have expressed concern over the increase in rape cases with 37 cases reported in Harare last month alone.

According to statistics, 18 women and 19 girls were raped last month in the capital.

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau yesterday could not give the statistics for the same period in 2008.

He urged people to be wary of such cases and appealed to parents to look after their children, as some of the perpetrators were relatives of minors left in their custody.

He said some of them were raped after visiting certain areas in the city looking for relatives whom they could not locate.

During the process, they would meet strangers who would lure them into believing that they would render assistance but later rape them.

"Some of the cases involve parents who leave their children in the custody of their relatives, who will then take advantage to rape these innocent minors," said Insp Sabau.

He said people should be careful especially during this period, as such cases were likely to increase as a result of the maize cover in most areas around Harare, where residents grow maize.

Insp Sabau said robberies were also likely to increase, as people would be waylaid in maize fields.

Rape cases have been on the increase countrywide with some of the culprits being arrested while others have gone into hiding.

It is believed some cases are reported while others go unreported.

Police have for the past few years been urging people to report such cases for law enforcement agents to track down the culprits on time.

The increase in rape cases has seen police establishing the Victim Friendly Unit in a bid to deal with such cases involving children.

By The Herald