Nyamupinga: Prison Alone Not Enough, Castrate Rapists

A female legislator has sparked debate in Parliament after proposing the castration of convicted r@pists, especially repeat offenders, as a way to curb rising cases of s@xual violence.

Goromonzi West Member of Parliament, Beata Nyamupinga, raised the issue during Tuesday’s National Assembly sitting, urging lawmakers to urgently introduce tougher measures to safeguard women and children.

Her appeal came in the wake of two disturbing cases that drew widespread outrage the r@pe of a Grade 7 girl by a tout at Harare’s Rezende bus terminus, and a viral video showing two teenage boys allegedly gang-r@ping a 17-year-old girl.

“We are crying over the issue of rape. We are grieving as women of this country. The whole nation is not happy to see a grown man having s@xual intercourse with a young child,” Nyamupinga told Parliament.

She further encouraged her female colleagues to lobby President Emmerson Mnangagwa directly, stressing that traditional prison sentences were not enough since many offenders re-offend after release.

“Can we have something as a matter of urgency to ensure that if somebody is caught having s@xual intercourse with a minor, they should be castrated. If he maintains that manhood, he will not have the discipline to stop,” she argued.

Nyamupinga’s remarks received applause across the House, with many MPs acknowledging the seriousness of the issue.

Acting Speaker Joseph Tshuma condemned the abuse of minors as “incomprehensible and appalling” and advised Nyamupinga to introduce a Private Members’ Bill to push for tougher penalties, including possible life imprisonment for child r@pists.

“While Zimbabwe has abolished the death penalty, certain crimes, particularly the rape of minors, demand severe consequences,” Tshuma said.