Child rape: 'Something wrong in SA'
2011-09-09 22:15
Cape Town - The increasing number of sex crimes against children suggests there is something wrong in South African society, IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said on Friday.
In a statement following the release on Thursday of the annual national crime statistics, he called for an investigation into the issue.
Referring to the latest figures, which cover the period April 2010 to March this year, Buthelezi said rape had increased to a total of 56 272 reported cases.
"Simple maths tells us that at any given moment of any day, someone is being raped in South Africa. That is a staggering indictment on our society. But more so because the increase in sexual offences is against children," Buthelezi said.
Slightly fewer adult women were raped over the past year than the year before, although 137 more were murdered. However, sex offences against children increased by 711 incidents.
"Year on year, the increase in this crime is consistent. Most crimes against children are perpetrated on [those] between the ages of 15 and 17; except rape. In South Africa, our youngest children are the victims.
"Why is sexual deviance against children increasing every year? What is wrong with our society?"
Buthelezi called for public debate on the issue.
"Let us commission research, let us ask the experts, let us consider every possibility. And whatever we need to do to stop this evil, let us do it."
Children were not a commodity for adult pleasure.
"In fact, our depth of civilisation can be measured by how safe our children are within our society," Buthelezi said.
- SAPA