Govt to tighten rape sentence

Cabinet is working on modalities to tighten sentence of convicted rapists amid revelations that cases of child and woman abuse are on the increase, a cabinet minister has said.

Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa told the senate on Thursday that cabinet was revising penalties for rapists to ensure that any would-be perpetrators are deterred from committing the offence.

"We are investigating why rape is on the increase. We are also seeking guidance from specialist psychologists," he said

The revelations come as Vice-President Joice Mujuru told a police pass out parade on Thursday that 2 064 children were raped from January to July, up from 1 876 during the same period in 2013.

She also said 946 adults were sexually-abused during the same period compared to 918 people for 2013.

Mnangagwa said the cabinet committee, which is chaired by Women Affairs minister Oppah Muchinguri, was tasked with ensuring that stiffer penalties were, accordingly, promulgated.

"People ask us why the sentencing seems to be very light, and are suggesting that sentencing should be tightened," he said.

But he ruled out a death sentence, saying: "It is better that we give them more years (in prison) than a death sentence. Some are saying that the problem is that the perpetrators are given bail and they go back to their homes.

"At cabinet level, we were advised to make amendments here and there to tighten the sentencing.

"We have not yet taken the amendments to cabinet, but we also think that the (traditional) chiefs and their counterparts should have a role to play, especially in conscientising village heads and denounce such behaviour. There should be an awareness to denounce all this," the Justice minister added.