Robert Mugabe proposes "castration" for monsters who rape children

President Robert Mugabe has come up with a solution to the growing rate of rape and child abuse cases. He said that castration of rapists and child abusers is the best way to stem the vice. The Zimbabwean president reportedly made this known while speaking during his 92nd birthday celebrations at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments on Saturday, February 26.

Mugabe said he was confused by people who abuse minors.

"What sex impulse is it which gets one to abuse a little child? I wonder what enough punishment for such people is," he said. "Can you suggest how such brutal monsters amongst us that rape babies should be punished … burdizzo (castration device) We should make them oxen, some people should be made oxen."

However, Mugabe noted that the government is going to attract the wrath of human rights defenders if it were to go ahead with such a plan.

"Again, human rights people will say it (castration) is too severe. Sharia Law says if you use your hand to steal, that hand must be cut off. Now you use what to abuse the child? I think that which you use should be cut off. They will go and get an artificial one (I)think," he said, amid laughter and applause from the thousands of villagers who braved the light showers that characterised the event.

The proposal seemed to get the backing of Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and Women’s Affairs minister Nyasha Chikwinya, Zimbabwe Southern Eye reports.