There has been an outrage in Tanzania and on social media after President John Magufuli granted pardon to two men who had been sentenced for life for the rape of primary school children.
Two musicians, a father and his son, had been serving life sentence in Tanzania after they reportedly defiled 10 girls, aged between six and eight years. Their conviction was quite unusual in the country because most child rape cases have been resolved between the families involved.
It was regarded as a tremendous feat after the suspects, Nguza Viking, known as Babu Seya, and his son Johnson Nguza, known by the stage name Papii Kocha, were not only prosecuted but also sentenced to life in prison.
In a new twist however, the country’s leader pardoned the culprits on Saturday after they had been convicted for the offenses prior. With the news about the release of the two musicians, the president’s action has being widely condemned by several child rights activists in the country.
According to Kate McAlpine, director of Community for Children Rights in northern Tanzania, the president’s decision was horrifying but unsurprising. The director has explained that the action was ‘the latest example of the president showing a lack of understanding about violence against children.’
McAlpine explained that earlier this year, the president had banned pregnant school girls from going back to school. She believes the nation’s no.1 ‘has blind spot when it comes to recognizing children as victims’. ‘There seems to be a punitive attitude towards young children,’ the director said.
Do you think it was right to grant pardon to these two child molesters under any circumstances? Kindly share your views in the comments section.