*Senger Zombo

By: Nat Bayjay,nbayjay2010@gmail.com

Despite the passage of a new rape law by the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) in 2006, making the offense a first degree felony punishable by life imprisonment if convicted, rape is still on the increase in Liberia.

One of the more bizarre rape cases unfolded recently. Senger Zombo, aged 25, is a handicapped man that was found guilty of raping a 10-month-old baby. Following the verdict, Zombo begged for mercy.

Last month, the Ministry of Gender and Development released its statistical report from the MSF Belgium three clinics, indicating that the hospitals received 560 cases of rape from July up to the present. According to the report, this is just in Monrovia alone and sexual based violence against women and children are on the increase throughout the country.

The Women and Children Protection Section (WACPS) of the Liberia National Police (LNP), who conducted the investigation against defendant Zombo said that the victim’s mother reported that just prior to the incident occurring the 10-month-old baby toileted in her diaper. The mother of the baby told the WACPS that after changing the baby’s diaper, she left her in the kitchen and went outside to wash dishes.

Prior to the rape, Zombo who usually buys food from her, had just bought some food, and was left with the child in the kitchen. Upon her return, she saw her baby between the legs of Zombo, sexually abusing her.

Police disclosed that Zombo admitted to the allegation levied against him, but begged for mercy.

According to the police, they were left with no alternative, but to charge defendant Zombo with rape, given his admission as well as physical evidence presented by the MSF Clinic.

The two defendants have been sent to the Monrovia Central Prison Compound, pending court trial.

Zombo who admitted to the act added that he was drunk with cane juice liquor, which is distilled African liquor made from sugar cane. According to Zombo, he only put his hand in the baby’s diaper, and was caught by her mother.

Defendant Zombo said he pleaded with the baby’s parents to pity his condition, but they refused on the grounds that taking him to court would prevent others from committing the same crime.