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Faith Mabuto Midlands Reporter
PUPILS from four primary schools in Gweru yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration in the Midlands capital in protest against an up surge in child sexual abuse cases.

The pupils were from Bumburwi, St Paul’s, Budiriro and Chikumbiro primary schools.

The demonstration was staged at a time when Gweru businessman, Smile Madhaka, who allegedly kidnapped, drugged and sodomised two Bumburwi Primary School boys aged 11 and 12 years, was appearing for routine remand at the local magistrate’s courts.

The pupils, both boys and girls, quietly marched through the central business district carrying placards denouncing child abuse of all forms.

Some of the placards read “Stop sodomising school children”, “Please stop child abuse”, “Safeguard against child abuse, Protect the future leaders”, and “We say No to child abuse, rape and sodomy”.

Martha Mapingire from the Child Protection Commission led the children in their campaign.

She said the demonstration was meant to bring awareness on the evils of child abuse as well as fight such cases which were on the increase.

“People should know that abuse of children is bad and the perpetrators shouldn’t be allowed to go scot free. We want the children to feel safe and know their rights. As the Child Protection Commission, it’s our role to protect children and let their rights be known.”

“There are four schools here from the Bumburwi clusters which are, St Paul’s Primary School, Budiriro Primary School, Chikumbiro Primary School and Bumburwi Primary School,” said Mapingire.

While the pupils were peacefully demonstrating against child abuse, Madhaka, 34, of Mkoba Village 19 suburb, was appearing before magistrate Judith Taruvinga, facing two counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Madhaka, who is pleading not guilty to the charge, and is out on $200 bail was further remanded to September 4 for trial. He runs night clubs in Mkoba Villages 1, 9, and 11 as well as a pool club in the city.

Prosecuting, Daniel Tafuma said sometime in April this year, Madhaka, who has a night club in Mkoba Village 1 which is close to Bumburwi Primary School, went to the school where he met the two boys.

“Madhaka gave the boys a lift. While inside the vehicle, he offered them bread and drinks. After consuming the food which could have been laced with a drug the boys fell unconscious,” said Tafuma.

The court heard that after some time the boys gained consciousness only to realise they were in Mkoba Village 3 near the Salvation Army Church.

“When the boys woke up they realised that they were near Salvation Army Church and that their pants were soiled,” said Tafuma.

The court heard that before Madhaka dumped the boys, he told them that he was going to pick them up at Mkoba Police Station bus stop on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The abuse continued until June 26.

Tafuma told the court that Madhaka would intoxicate the boys with laced food and drinks before sodomising them.

He said he also gave them $5 to share.