adminDISGRACED former Harare nightclub manager, Ronald Ngwenya’s 12-year effective jail term for molesting his teenage niece should serve as a warning to vile men of his calibre that they will eventually be brought to justice.
Evil men like Ngwenya have been on the loose for way too long and belong in prison.
Ngwenya ruined the life of a young girl who needed his protection. Instead of protecting her, Ngwenya saw her like a sexual toy, despite lying in court that he treated her like his own daughter since she was six.
Although Ngwenya was acquitted on two counts of rape, he was convicted of aggravated indecent assault and condemned to a dozen years in jail for betraying the trust his 13-year-old niece had in him.
She looked up to him as a guardian and he took advantage of her innocence to ruin her future.
As society, we have an obligation to protect our children from harm. Sexual molestation is a heinous act that not only traumatises the victims, but also destroys their psychological and emotional well-being.
There is an alarming increase in the prevalence of sexual molestation cases in our society, especially of young girls. It is a tragedy and a shame that we cannot provide a safe environment for young girls to thrive.
Sexual molestation is a vile crime where perpetrators take away, not only the physical safety of young girls, but also rob them of their innocence. The impact of molestation and sexual assault can linger on for years, damaging the mental health and self-esteem of the survivor.
The psychological trauma from such incidents often leads to anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide attempts. The emotional and physical scars can take a lifetime to heal, and the memory of the attack may never disappear.
One would think that the punishment for such crimes would be severe. However, for far too long, we have seen that perpetrators of such crimes escape leniently and get off with minimal sentences. We applaud the magistrate for recognising the severity of Ngwenya’s actions and giving him a harsh sentence.
It’s time sexual molesters face mandatory minimum sentences. They should not be eligible for any amnesty until they have completed their sentence and demonstrated that they are no longer a threat to society.
Moreover, the laws should be revised to ensure that the judicial system provides an equally just environment to the victims and the survivors of these crimes. Courts must do everything in their power to protect the privacy and the identities of victims. Law enforcement should be equipped with the latest tools to investigate cases of sexual assault and molestation.
Victims and their family members should be offered counselling, psychological support, and legal expertise to make sure they are not subjected to further victimisation.
We also need to change the culture of victim-blaming and shaming. It’s time we stop the blame game and recognise the sufferings of victims of sexual molestation and assault. It is vital for us to stand by them and support them through the difficult journey of recovery.
We also need to educate our children about sexual assault and molestation and provide them with the tools to protect themselves. We must teach children about body autonomy and provide them with awareness about the risks and the dangers of sexual molestation.
Additionally, we need to consider the role of technology in preventing these heinous crimes. Internet service providers and social media platforms must take accountability in preventing child sexual exploitation on their platforms. Digital footprints must be monitored carefully, and the exploitation of minors should be reported and acted upon immediately.
Sexual molestation of young girls leaves life-long trauma, scars and sometimes permanent damage.
We must protect our children and enable them to live a life free from sexual abuse and exploitation. Let us work together towards a society that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals, young or old.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter