By Dennis Ndlovu I Zim GBC News
A female lawmaker has made a striking call in Parliament, advocating for the castration of convicted rapists, especially those who offend repeatedly.
Beata Nyamupinga, MP for Goromonzi West, voiced her appeal during Tuesday’s session of the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to act swiftly to safeguard women and children from the ongoing sexual violence crisis.
Her comments came in the wake of two disturbing events that have stirred widespread outrage: the assault of a Grade 7 girl by a tout at Harare’s Rezende bus terminus, and a disturbing video circulating online showing two 16-year-old boys gang-raping an apparently unconscious 17-year-old girl.
“We are crying over the issue of rape. We are grieving as women of this country. The whole nation is not happy to see a fit gentleman having sexual intercourse with a young child,” Nyamupinga declared.
She called on her fellow female parliamentarians to directly lobby President Emmerson Mnangagwa, emphasizing the urgent need for harsher punishments.
“Can we have something as a matter of urgency to ensure that if somebody is caught having sexual intercourse with a minor, they should be castrated. If he maintains that manhood, he will not have the discipline to stop. As women, we live in fear, where can we safely keep our children when we go to work, to church, or even here in Parliament?” she asked, earning applause from members across the chamber.
Nyamupinga highlighted that prison sentences alone do not suffice, as many offenders commit crimes again after release.
“If you decide it is not good to cut off his manhood, then let us castrate them,” she insisted.
Acting Speaker Joseph Tshuma recognized the seriousness of the matter, condemning the sexual abuse of minors as “incomprehensible and appalling.”
He recommended that Nyamupinga consider drafting a Private Members’ Bill to advocate for stricter punishments, including potential life imprisonment for those convicted of child rape.
“While Zimbabwe has abolished the death penalty, certain crimes, particularly the rape of minors, demand severe consequences,” the Acting Speaker remarked.
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