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Trish Mukwazo, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT is investigating a case involving a 13-year-old boy from Plumtree who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for indecently assaulting a seven-year-old boy.
The boy was convicted of aggravated indecent assault by a Gwanda magistrate last month, sparking an appeal from his family.
This case gained national attention and was discussed in Parliament last Thursday during a question-and-answer session in the Senate. Matabeleland South Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) Senator Linda Sibanda raised concerns regarding the sentencing criteria used by the magistrate.
Responding to Senator Sibanda’s query, Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Obert Mazungunye described the sentence as excessive and promised that the Government is already looking into the matter.
“Indeed, usually the courts prioritise rehabilitation for juveniles. We have heard about the case where a minor has been handed an outrageous sentence, which we also believe is excessive for someone of that age,” Deputy Minister Mazungunye said.
“As a Ministry, we are seized with the matter and will rectify the anomaly, as it is common knowledge that probationary sentences are usually preferred for juveniles.”
Senator Sibanda expressed concern about the severity of the sentence.
“How can we have a 13-year-old being sentenced to 15 years? I saw this kid in prison after a meeting between incarcerated individuals and their families,” she said.