The release of two musicians who were serving life sentences for
the rape of primary school pupils is indicative of the Tanzanian
president's "punitive" attitude towards children, a child rights
activist has said.
Kate McAlpine, director of Community
for Children Rights in northern Tanzania, said she was “horrified but
unsurprised” by President John Magufuli's decision.
On
Saturday, he pardoned Nguza Viking, known as Babu Seya, and his son
Johnson Nguza, known by the stage name Papii Kocha, who were given life
behind bars after being convicted of raping 10 girls, aged between six
and eight years.
Ms McAlpine said this was the latest example of Mr Magufuli showing a lack of understanding about violence against children.
Earlier this year, the president banned pregnant school girls from returning to school.
“Pregnant schoolgirls are pregnant because they are victims of violence," Ms McAlpine said.
“He has a blind spot when it comes to recognising children as
victims. There seems to be a punitive attitude towards young children.”
Ms
McAlpine said the fact the two men were jailed in the first place was
unusual in a country where most child rape cases are resolved between
families.
Rapists have also been known to pay of police and court staff.
She
said: “It’s extremely rare for child rape cases to get to court in
Tanzania - and even rarer for the culprits to get life sentences.”
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