First Lady, fair candid woman Grace Mugabe
First Lady Grace Mugabe

First Lady Grace Mugabe

Yoliswa Dube, Features Reporter
THE First Lady, Dr Amai Grace Mugabe, is a fair candid woman who believes in justice for everyone.

Like her husband, President Mugabe, she is strongly against men who abuse children or women.

The first couple also resents women who abuse men or boys.

Dr Mugabe said men who sexually abuse women and girls should face harsh punishment, including the possibility of hanging. This was in light of reports that at least 27 rape cases are recorded in Zimbabwe per day.

“Ini ndinofunga kuti vanhu vakadaro, people who commit such heinous crimes, should be immediately sent to the gallows kunochekwa musoro chaiwo. Handione pane reason yekuti patombofungwa kana chii. (I think people like that should be sent to the gallows and be beheaded. Such people are not fit to be part of a society),” said Dr Mugabe.

The First Lady said the effects of abuse were cumulative and also detrimental to would-be victims. She cited a case of a five-year-old girl from Gokwe who had her uterus removed after being raped by an uncle.

“That child will not be able to have her own family tomorrow and will be traumatised forever… When God fashioned you (men) with those instruments that you carry around and abuse, his intention was for you to use them for reproduction.

“But the way you go and sow those seeds is sometimes disheartening. (How can you then impregnate a small child? It’s embarrassing! It’s very bad!”

Women and children rights’ groups said the existing legislation on sexual abuse in the country was stiff enough but the perpetrators continued to commit the crime without flinching.

They felt hanging the perpetrators would not deter them.

“Legislation regarding sexual abuse in Zimbabwe is actually very good. Even the protective systems in the country are also good. The penalties are stiff enough but the problem is the enforcement of these laws. I don’t think these men are aware of the punishments they stand to face after sexually abusing someone,” said director for Contact Family Counselling Centre, Despina Madonko.

She said responding swiftly to rape cases is equally important.

“We’re happy that influential people are interested in sexual abuse issues because there’re really sad situations out there but it’s not a matter of punishment that’s a problem.

“It’s an issue of awareness. Women and children are not protected enough and men think they can do whatever they want.

“The systems in place from the moment a victim reports a case to the police and are taken to hospital and later for counselling are very good. We just don’t understand what it is with these men; are they frustrated? It’s just inhumane,” said Madonko.

You Might Also Like

Comments