Women call for expedition of mandatory jail sentence for rapists

 

By Faith Tevera and Nothando Nkomo

BULAWAYO – Bulawayo women told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs ,Community and Small Medium Enterprises that government should  expedite mandatory sentencing for rape as a deterrent against the vice. The meeting whose main agenda was to seek the input of women in the mandatory sentencing of rape and sexual crimes was held  at Nkulumane Hall. 

The Recently, government proposed a mandatory 60-year jailing term for people who commit rape against children and 40 years for those convicted of raping or sodomising people with disabilities. 

MDC-T Proportional Representation MP, Hon. Lindiwe Maphosa kickstarted the meeting by highlighting Section 141 of the Constitution in relation to mandatory sentencing in cases of rape.

“Rape is a serious offense, therefore  the rapist does not deserve a second chance and they should face life imprisonment. A rapist is not different from a murderer,” said an unidentified contributor.

Another woman in the gallery, made the point that rape is a difficult experience to shake off and stays with with the victim forever and for that reason, sentencing should be mandatory.

“If one is raped, it is very difficult for them to move on because  flash backs will inevitably come back to haunt them and may lead to mental problems and emotional breakdown as the victim’s inner soul would have been killed. Given this kind of damage upon the victim, a rapist should never be given an opportunity to apply for bail.

If a rapist is granted bail and the victim sees the one who raped her roaming around scot free, it could affect the well being of the victim. Such miscarriages of justice are some of the reasons that cause some victims to  end up committing suicide because the  justice system would have failed them,” she said.

Khathazile Khumalo, a participant, accused the police of sometimes colluding with perpetrators of rape and shielding them from arrest at the expense of victims.

“One thing we have realised is that the police sometimes work hand in glove with the rapists as they collude to defeat the ends of justice. In some cases, a victim  can make a report to indifferent police who for some reason would be keen to hear out the offender more than they are willing to hear the victim. We therefore ask the government to intervene and ensure such corrupt officials face the long arm of the law,” said Khumalo.

The issue of protecting the perpetrators,  especially if they are close relatives also emerged during the meeting which noted that, often, when a child is raped by a father or uncle and the child reports to the mother, the victim usually ends up being silenced and would not have anybody helping her cause. In light of this, the women in attendance unanimously agreed that those who try to cover up rape should also serve jail time along with the rapist.

Blessed Tshabalala noted that rape is not only confined to adult perpetrators as she highlighted that teenagers are also guilty of the vice.

“Nowadays, not only adults commit rape but also some of our children who are still teenagers are now practicing  this sordid deed. Regardless of their age, they must be liable to prosecution for their crimes. They should be confined to juvenile prison  for no less than five years,” she said.

Clara Mudzamiri added her voice to the discourse by suggesting that rapists should not be afforded lawyers to defend then and must be sentenced to life imprisonment. She also spoke in support of mandatory rape sentencing.

The tough talking Mudzamiri further added that,  “If one impregnates an under-aged girl, they should face rape charges and subsequent mandatory sentencing. A child who is underage cannot be said to have consented to sex hence the perpetrator should  face imprisonment for destroying a young life.”

Other women present also remarked that a rapist should be made to pay the victim’s medical bills while others  said government should assist in paying medical bills for the victim.

The Parliamentary Portfolio Commitee on Women Affairs,Community and Small Medium Enterprises said they were going to discuss the ideas brought forwad by the women in Parliament before coming back to the women with feedback.