LUSAKA, 24 May: A judge has handed two men Zambias toughest ever jail terms for raping underage girls in what a womens group described as “a milestone for justice” in a country where sexual attacks on minors (mindreårige) are on the increase.
Judge Gregory Phiri sentenced Kebby Mukela and David Mbale to 35 years in prison with hard labor for raping young girls, saying he hoped the long sentence would be a deterrent (afskrækkende) to other such crimes.
Three other men were handed sentences between 14 and 30 years with hard labor for raping girls in the judgment delivered late on Wednesday.
– The judgment is an important milestone in the delivery of justice in Zambia and I am sure it will act as a deterrent to men in the habit of raping girls, said Engwase Mwale, the executive director of the umbrella womens group, NGOCC, adding:
– The judgment will send signals that justice is beginning to be delivered in the right way.
Mwale said the judge had taken a bold step by meting out jail sentences far lengthier than the 25 years sentence for rapists suggested by the law.
State radio said one man was jailed for 14 years after he was found attempting to rape a mentally retarded girl. All the girls raped were between the age of nine and 14 while the men were aged between 26 and 35.
Kilde: The Push Journal
