Government to take Responsibility for the Increase in Child Rapes

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe MP – ACDP

Monday, 03 December 2001


Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe MP, leader of the African Christian Democratic Party today expressed shock and horror at the rape of a five-month-old baby girl in Johannesburg over the weekend.

In a statement today, Rev Meshoe said that the blame for the recent increase in child abuse and child rapes needs to be laid firmly at the feet of government. Rev Meshoe warned government that the legalisation of pornography has attributed to the problem, by further inflaming the lusts of these men. He said, “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.

In the case of the recent rape of a two-year-old girl, E-TV reported that the child was forced to watch pornography before she was raped, however SABC News failed to report the role pornography played in this brutal crime. This kind of abuse is learned behaviour, and not just something that can be made up in their heads. Young people who rape must have seen this being done somewhere before, either on TV or in pornographic literature.”

Rev. Meshoe called on government to reconsider its’ stance on the death penalty, and in while doing so, he called on government to legislate to the effect, that a minimum life sentence be mandatory and be imposed in all cases of rape.

“Rapists and criminals in general do not fear the soft arm of the law. Men who rape children should lose their right to life. 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.” He said.


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For more information please call Rev Meshoe at 021- 4033521 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 4781037