Govt must act tougher with sex offenders

Philemon Jambaya

Stakeholders have called for stiffer penalties on those found guilty of sex offences.

Cases of sexual assault have been spiking recently with the perpetrators taking advantage of the loopholes within the legal system.

The country has recently witnessed a large number of young girls and women falling prey to paedophiles despite section 81 of the Constitution categorically stating the right of minors must be upheld and that they should be protected from sexual exploitation.

This saw a huge debate emanating around the age of consent with several stakeholders applauding the Constitutional Court for setting the age at 18.

The country has witnessed serious cases like the Memory Machaya and the Tsholotsho girl.

During the Advocacy Engagement Meeting on the review of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, Ruth Labode said that the government needs to take a strong stance against early child pregnancies.

The Bill in question seeks to provide mandatory minimum sentences for rape and alter the definition of dangerous drugs possession and use.

“We went to Rwanda, and we observed what we can call the Kagame Effect where the Rwandan president has declared that no child will carry another child. We need to take that into consideration . . . ,” Labode said.

Labode also called for the law which recognises safe abortions, the termination of pregnancy in Zimbabwe was introduced in 1977, which makes it so outdated as compared to current circumstances.

“We need to stop turning young girls into mothers. There is a huge need for the legalisation of safe abortions, especially for young women who have been sexually exploited,” she said.

Labode also said most young women were unable to pursue their dreams soon after getting pregnant and, as legislators, they were hoping the criminal code will bring an end to this mayhem.

“We are really hoping that this bill will bring into effect more stringent measures where sexual violence cases relating to persons above 18 will not be suspended.”

Katswe Sistahood Director Talent Jumo said there is an urgent need to criminalise the sexual exploitation of minors.

“We need to criminalise paedophilia and make sure we formulate a national offenders’ registry, which is digitalised so we are able to keep track. So, I appeal to all Members of Parliament not to miss an opportunity to act on the Constitutional Court’s recommendations and amend the age of sexual consent.” she said.