‘Child sexual offenders should rot in jail’
THE 9th Session of the Parliament of Zimbabwe should consider stiffer sentences, including life imprisonment for people convicted of child sexual abuse, First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing school children, teachers and parents from Mashonaland West Province at Moleli High School in Musengezi yesterday, the First Lady said child sex offenders had no place in society. She said legislation on child sex offenders would be a priority during the next Parliament.
“When the next Parliament comes on board, child abuse is a priority issue they will deal with, according to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Ziyambi Ziyambi),” she said.
“You will hear that there is a new law. I do not know the sentences they will come up with, but my thinking is that culprits should go and languish in prison where they will never be heard of again.
“I do not know what the law will say, but I think it should make sure that culprits will meet their end there and never to be heard again. I would wish that they go there and the keys go missing and never to be found again.”
The First Lady’s call follows a plea from children during an interactive session that Government should consider coming up with harsher sentences to fight cases of child sexual abuse, especially of girls.
Parents, the First Lady said, should pay particular attention to the girls as they were prone to abuse. They must ensure they have basic provisions so that they do not look up to wrong people for assistance, who end up abusing them, she said.
She lamented the disintegration of the family unit, saying it had resulted in some of the challenges faced by children, including abuse, leading to the increase in the numbers of children on the streets. The First Lady bemoaned the low number of schools in areas such as Nyaminyami in Kariba. She said Primary and Secondary Education Minster Professor Paul Mavima had indicated that Government was building five schools in the province. This follows revelation that Mashonaland West Province has the highest number of satellite schools in Zimbabwe. The First Lady said the schools should also be computerised.
“Laptops and computers should be made available in the schools, but because there are more satellite schools in the province, there is need for a holistic approach that addresses the education situation,” she said.
“It should bring the technology and support infrastructure, including electricity. However, priority is in Mashonaland West Province.”
The First Lady was also touched by the presentation by children living with albinism on the challenges they face, including the high cost of sunscreen lotion and discrimination in school.
“Children living with albinism need a holistic approach that addresses their needs, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, who I believe can do something, no matter how small, to alleviate their situation,” she said.
The First Lady urged pupils to shun substance abuse as they cause health complications. She urged children to value the advice they get from parents.