Opinion / Interviews
60 seconds with Indaba Ndaba: interview with Betty Makoni
11 Feb 2013 at 22:58hrs | Views
Following the public statement by Betty Makoni on the alleged rape case by Dr Munyaradzi Kereke Bulawayo24 has done a follow up interview checking the progress of the case.
Indaba Ndaba: Hi Betty, what happened to that doctor who was accused of raping a little girl at gun point, - did he go to court/jail?
Betty Makoni: Hie Indaba. It never went anywhere, he was not arrested.
INdaba Ndaba: In a case like this what really needs to be done?
Betty Makoni: Push the Attorney General, he has the docket.
INdaba Ndaba: Is Girl Child Network doing that?
Betty Makoni: In Zimbabwe they cannot do anything as the Doctor is too powerful. I might push for international justice.
INdaba Ndaba: So far how many cases have you got of girls who have come forward complaining about him?
Betty Makoni: Just two.
INdaba Ndaba: Are they willing to share their stories with the world?
Betty Makoni: They are too terrified Indaba. The other two women decided not to report because they are afraid. Only two girls opened up.
INdaba Ndaba: In your own opinion, how can the media and the justice system work together in fighting such cases?
Betty Makoni: The media is key to helping victims amplify their voices, it is the mouthpiece for women and girls with no influence or power to be heard.
The media remains the only hope for the powerless particularly when it comes to polarised countries like Zimbabwe. It should be neutral when dealing with cases of rape.
I think justice system is not for the rich only but for the poor too. Like in this case and from my investigations, once someone rapes a girl they suddenly become Zanu PF even when they were not active in the party before.
Politicising the rape of children by such high profiles like Dr Kereke takes out justice and even the courts cannot do anything.
The worst form of injustice is for the office of Attorney General to hold back a docket and tamper with it. Like this case it's very clear and the child has agreed to testify and why should the Attorney General hold the docket to his office as if he advocates for out of court settlement.
The justice system must have key individuals who are trained to help children claim justice. As it is now, we have to seek justice and hearing from elsewhere and not Zimbabwe. It should not be the case.
Victims of rape must get compensation and must be supported by the state as rape is a class A crime against the state. We can jail cow thieves but not thieves who rob little girls of their innocence.
Indaba Ndaba: Thank you Muzvare
Betty Makoni: You are welcome
Indaba Ndaba: Hi Betty, what happened to that doctor who was accused of raping a little girl at gun point, - did he go to court/jail?
Betty Makoni: Hie Indaba. It never went anywhere, he was not arrested.
INdaba Ndaba: In a case like this what really needs to be done?
Betty Makoni: Push the Attorney General, he has the docket.
INdaba Ndaba: Is Girl Child Network doing that?
Betty Makoni: In Zimbabwe they cannot do anything as the Doctor is too powerful. I might push for international justice.
INdaba Ndaba: So far how many cases have you got of girls who have come forward complaining about him?
Betty Makoni: Just two.
INdaba Ndaba: Are they willing to share their stories with the world?
Betty Makoni: They are too terrified Indaba. The other two women decided not to report because they are afraid. Only two girls opened up.
INdaba Ndaba: In your own opinion, how can the media and the justice system work together in fighting such cases?
Betty Makoni: The media is key to helping victims amplify their voices, it is the mouthpiece for women and girls with no influence or power to be heard.
I think justice system is not for the rich only but for the poor too. Like in this case and from my investigations, once someone rapes a girl they suddenly become Zanu PF even when they were not active in the party before.
Politicising the rape of children by such high profiles like Dr Kereke takes out justice and even the courts cannot do anything.
The worst form of injustice is for the office of Attorney General to hold back a docket and tamper with it. Like this case it's very clear and the child has agreed to testify and why should the Attorney General hold the docket to his office as if he advocates for out of court settlement.
The justice system must have key individuals who are trained to help children claim justice. As it is now, we have to seek justice and hearing from elsewhere and not Zimbabwe. It should not be the case.
Victims of rape must get compensation and must be supported by the state as rape is a class A crime against the state. We can jail cow thieves but not thieves who rob little girls of their innocence.
Indaba Ndaba: Thank you Muzvare
Betty Makoni: You are welcome
Source - Byo24News
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