Times Of Swaziland: SENATORS: REMOVE MARITAL RAPE  FROM THE SEXUAL OFFENCES BILL

SENATORS: REMOVE MARITAL RAPE  FROM THE SEXUAL OFFENCES BILL
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BY SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO on 15/05/2018 03:44:00


LOBAMBA - Some senators are adamant that certain sections of the SODV Bill,
including marital rape and incest, should be removed. This could continue to
delay the passing of the Bill  into a legislation.
SODV is an acronym for Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence.
During a debate of members of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Portfolio Committee,
the senators were not happy with the marital rape clause stating that it should
be removed as it clashed with Swazi culture.
Senator Moi Moi Masilela said the marital rape was a home wrecker (icitsamuti)
adding that the Swazi culture was not in line with the regulation. Masilela said
the clause was good enough for those who were married through civil rites and
not those in polygamy.
He said if the Bill could be passed without amendments, men in polygamous
marriages could find themselves getting arrested.
According to Masilela, this would open floodgates for women to end up abusing
it.
Senator Chief Kekela said if the Bill could be passed into legislation without
amendment, they Emaswati men in polygamous marriages would find themselves
getting arrested.
Chief Kekela said out of rage, a woman in a polygamous marriage could end up
using it against her husband to spite him.
He said jealousy prevailed in most of the marriages as the women always have
demands they make to their husbands and always want attention.
Senator Chief Kekela said it is when the man does not give attention where all
trouble begins.
Responding, the Attorney General, Sifiso Khumalo, said there were circumstances
which were laid down and clear on rape.
Khumalo said rape was a criminal act and had no eyes and did not consider
whether you are married or not.