TANZANIA: President Magufuli pardons child rapists

Children’s rights activists have condemned the pardon of two child rapists by the Tanzanian president. Kate McAlpine, director of the Arusha-based Community for Children Rights, said she was “horrified but unsurprised”. John Magufuli made the pardon in his Independence Day speech on Saturday.  Singer Nguza Viking, known as Babu Seya, and his son Johnson Nguza, […]

Children’s rights activists have condemned the pardon of two child rapists by the Tanzanian president.

Kate McAlpine, director of the Arusha-based Community for Children Rights, said she was “horrified but unsurprised”.

John Magufuli made the pardon in his Independence Day speech on Saturday. 

Singer Nguza Viking, known as Babu Seya, and his son Johnson Nguza, known as Papii Kocha, were pardoned for raping 10 primary schoolgirls.

The president selected a group of prisoners to be released, who he said had corrected their behaviour.

Ms McAlpine said the pardon illustrated Mr Magufuli showed a “lack of understanding about violence against children”.

She linked this latest speech to his June announcement where he banned pregnant schoolgirls from returning to school.

“He has a blind spot when it comes to recognising children as victims. Pregnant schoolgirls are pregnant because they are victims of violence.”