WCOZ breathes fire over Kereke’s release

By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu

The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe is fuming following the release of Munyaradzi Kereke from prison and calling on the National Prosecuting Authority to appeal.

This comes after the former Zanu PF Bikita West legislator was granted $500 000 bail by the Supreme Court pending an appeal which he lodged against both conviction and 14 year sentence by the High Court.

Kereke was convicted for raping his then 11 year old niece at gunpoint while he was acquitted on the count of indecent assault purportedly committed against the older niece.

In the press release released today by WCOZ, they stated that the National Prosecuting Authority must appeal against the bail.

“Justice for 11 year old victim should be served hence we call upon the National Prosecuting Authority to appeal against the granting of this bail as the National Prosecuting Authority is responsible for instituting and undertaking criminal prosecutions on behalf of the State and discharging any functions that are necessary or incidental to such prosecutions.
This is cognizance of the fact that Section 81 of the Constitution gives every child in Zimbabwe the right to be protected from sexual exploitation and any form of abuse and a child’s best interests are paramount in every matter concerning the child. Therefore children are entitled to adequate protection by the courts,”

“This release is not only an insult to the nation, but to children who look up to the State and parents to protect them from such an evil. Sexual abuse of children is a social evil which blights the lives of the child victims, as well as their families and debases our society. The girl child is especially vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation and all possible stapes must be taken to protect them against sexual predators who prey upon them.

The Constitution of the country in Section 81 claims that every child the right to be protected against sexual exploitation and section 19 of the Constitution places an obligation upon the State to adopt reasonable measures to ensure that children are protected against all forms of abuse.”

Kereke was slapped with a 14 year sentence in 2016 with four years set aside on condition of good behavior and was to serve 10 years.