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It
is all wrong for the child - press statement on sodomised boy
Z. Bangani, National Coordinator
African Network for the Prevention
and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Zimbabwe
August 22, 2002
We would like to draw the attention of
the public to the article appearing on ‘The Herald’, Wednesday 21st
August edition entitled ‘Family dumps sodomised boy’s body at dad’s
workplace’. This is a three-year-old boy who had been sodomised
by the father 29 times, infected by HIV and later died.
Too many wrongs have obviously been committed
by all the concerned parties.
On the part of the law, who do we question
in such a case where a sodomy of an incestuous nature is only meting
a bail of $10 000. The best interest of the young boy was definitely
not taken into account since his life could still be in danger if
the father was freed. This was, no need to mention, a child in need
of care and protection and leaving him at the hands of uncaring
relatives and easily accessible by the father was setting precedent
for the worst to happen, and it did happen, he died. It is even
sad to mention that there are allegations of the demonic act having
happened 29 times. How would such a thing happen in the watchful
eyes of those only waiting to count on the frequency!
What nature of cooperation were the relatives
expecting from the beastly father and the family! These are questions
we only need to reflect upon ourselves since this is not a rare
occurrence within families.
This is a representation of many children
out there who are suffering all sorts of abuse and it also shows
how we as the community are treating them. We are cruel to our own
children to the point that we expose them to sexual abuse and reject
them when they need us most. We are reluctant to give them emotional
support, medical care and still torment them in death. If we were
to be judged against the International conventions that we are signatories
to, we would obviously score below poor. The children are to be
protected against child abuse and torture and this is a case where
the child has been exposed to inhumane and degrading treatment and
has not only suffered physical and mental abuse, the eventuality
has been death. The issue of conforming to the International Standards
is short of the point here. It is the question of lives of innocent
children.
As an organisation involved in advocating
for children’s rights, ANPPCAN Zimbabwe Chapter would like to strongly
condemn such acts of barbarism on children and would request the
Police to prefer another charge on the father of causing death.
The relatives under whose custody the boy was after the event should
also be charged with neglect since they were acting as legal guardians.
The trial magistrate should also blame him/herself for not having
placed orders that would ensure the best interests of the child
at the institution of the case. Doing all these is of course treating
the symptoms. The root cause is however you and me. We had better
realize that children are entitled to and deserve their rights just
as we adults do.
(ANPPCAN Zimbabwe is the national Chapter
of the African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against
Child Abuse and Neglect, a Pan African organisation with branches
in 16 African Countries. It has an observer status at the AU –formerly,
OAU)
Visit the ANPPCAN
Zimbabwe
fact
sheet
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