Cross section of Tanzanians and the global community have condemned recent action by the country’s president relating release of rapists sentenced to life jail.
Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuli has remained under intense pressure to reverse pardon granted to persons convicted of raping school girls, among others.
According to agency report, the Tanzanian president in his address at the country’s 56th independence anniversary, Magufuli announced a pardon of prisoners with the immediate release of 1,828 convicts while 6,329 others would have their sentences reduced.
Notable among the beneficiaries was popular musician Nguza Viking a.k.a. Babu Seya and his son Johnson who had been jailed for life after being found guilty of defiling 10 primary school girls in 2004.
The pardon was received with mixed reactions. While some Tanzanians welcome the return of the popular Rumba musician, there are sections who have taken to social media to express their dismay at the pardon of convicted rapists.
The pardon, the protesters argued reflects injustice and punishment to young children. According to a child rights activist who heads the Community for Children’s Rights located in the country’s north, the president’s action comes across as a punishment to young children.
Kate McAlpine is quoted by the BBC Africa LIVE page as saying she was horrified but unsurprised by Magufuli’s actions. She related the incident of last weekend to the president’s unyielding stance on pregnant school girls.
Pregnant schoolgirls are pregnant because they are victims of violence. He has a blind spot when it comes to recognizing children as victims.
“Pregnant schoolgirls are pregnant because they are victims of violence. He has a blind spot when it comes to recognising children as victims.
“There seems to be a punitive attitude towards young children,” McAlpine added.
While addressing hundreds of people at the country’s 56th independence anniversary, Magufuli announced a pardon of prisoners with the immediate release of 1,828 convicts while 6,329 others would have their sentences reduced.
Bonny Amadi with Agency Report
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