Shurugwi, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a massive manhunt for an 83-year-old Shurugwi man who fled after DNA results confirmed he fathered twins with his 17-year-old mentally ill granddaughter.
The suspect, Jairos Musekiwa, of Mavhumashava plots, Zhaugwe, is now a wanted fugitive after skipping bail following a series of heinous attacks that have left the Shurugwi community in shock.
The victim, who lives with a mental disability, was just 15 years old when the abuse began. According to police reports, Musekiwa took advantage of a period in April 2024 when the girl’s grandmother had traveled to Gweru to attend a funeral.
Left alone with the vulnerable teenager, Musekiwa allegedly raped her repeatedly. To ensure her silence, the octogenarian reportedly used threats of physical violence, warning the girl that he would beat her if she ever disclosed the ordeal.
The DNA “Smoking Gun”
The crime remained hidden until October 2024, when an observant aunt noticed changes in the girl’s physical appearance. A pregnancy test at a local clinic returned a positive result, and on December 17, 2024, the teenager gave birth to twins.
As part of the criminal investigation, police ordered DNA testing for the infants. The results provided irrefutable evidence: Jairos Musekiwa was the biological father.
A Fugitive from Justice
Despite the gravity of the charges and the scientific evidence against him, Musekiwa was granted bail by the Gweru Regional Court on December 18, 2025. Following his release, the suspect vanished, failing to appear for subsequent court dates.
Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed that Musekiwa is now a wanted man and appealed to the public for information.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police in Midlands Province is appealing for assistance from the public to locate and arrest an 83-year-old man… wanted in connection with a case of rape of a mentally ill juvenile,” Inspector Mahoko stated.
The ZRP is urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jairos Musekiwa to report to the nearest police station. The case has reignited debates regarding the safety of mentally ill persons and the criteria used for granting bail in high-profile sexual assault cases involving minors.
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