The Alarming Incidence Of Child Rape and Abuse

Speech by Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe MP – ACDP

Wednesday, 14th November 2001

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe President of the African Christian Democratic Party today gave the following speech on the subject of the Alarming Incidence Of Child Rape and Abuse:


When South Africa was called the rape capital of the world a few years back, the rape of children was not a major issue. But today, in some areas it seems more children are being raped than adults.

Young girls are no longer safe in their own homes, communities and even in their schools.

It is unacceptable that fathers rape their own daughters, grandsons rape their grandmothers, uncles rape their nieces, school teachers and principals rape their students in classrooms and offices. The rape of a nine-month-old baby by 6 men in the Northern Cape brought shame to the nation of South Africa. That baby cannot even walk and yet she has had to endure the most brutal, violent abuse imaginable. Did the rapists of this baby want to murder her? Was her life so unimportant to them that they were willing to throw it away once they had satisfied their lusts?

To remedy the situation, we have to find out what is wrong with such men in this country, what are the contributory factors and then take bold and decisive action against perpetrators of such heinous crimes.

I believe this parliament made a mistake by legalising pornography, which inflames the passion and lusts of men. For as long as we have so much pornography in this country, the incidence of rape of children will keep on increasing. Pornography is the theory, but rape is the action. An 11 year old child who rapes his baby cousin must have seen this being done somewhere before, either on TV or in pornographic literature. This kind of abuse is learned behaviour, and not just something that they can make up in their own heads.

Rapists and criminals in general do not fear the soft arm of the law. Men who rape children should lose their right to life. The six men who raped the innocent 9 month old baby must be sentenced to death. When this parliament amends the constitution early next year to allow members of parliament to cross the floor without losing their seats, the ACDP will also call for amendments to clauses that outlaw the death penalty. Rapists don’t respect women and children’s rights, government and courts should also not respect their right to life.

The ACDP says “STOP THE RAPE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, STOP THE AVAILABILITY OF DRUGS AND PORNOGRAPHY AND BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY.”

We love our children and must therefore take urgent and drastic measures to protect them. Let’s make South Africa a safe haven for children and not a country where they are raped and abused.


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For more information please call Rev Kenneth Meshoe at (021) 403 3521 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 4781037