Paedophiles convicted for raping minors under the age of 12 years could soon face up to 60 years in jail under a new law that will be enacted to arrest rising incidences of child sexual abuse.

The Mandatory Sentencing for Rape and Sexual Offences Bill, which is presently in the works, will also prescribe a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for raping disabled persons.

The Bill, which was put on the legislative agenda by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected to be taken to Parliament during the current session.
It is envisaged that the new law — prompted by the prevalence of sexual violence cases against minors, the disabled and the elderly — would result in different mandatory sentences, including for the transmission of HIV through rape.

An initial proposal to impose life sentences for rape was reportedly turned down by Cabinet for being too steep.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza told The Sunday Mail that the law is in line with regional best practice. She also said consultations on the new law are being led by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

“The law is basically to amend sections of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act),” said Mrs Mabhiza.