President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday said he was disturbed by the loss of life of young children due to ritual killings.
Addressing the online junior Cabinet of the 27th session of
the Junior Parliament, President Mnangagwa urged the justice system to
investigate and punish perpetrators of child murders.
“I am disturbed by the loss of life of young children as a
result of heinous and evil actions for rituals and witchcraft purposes. These
cold-hearted acts of murder have no place in our country.
“The stakeholders in our criminal justice system must
speedily and strongly deal with the perpetrators so that this evil trend is
expunged from our society,” he said.
This comes as a Murehwa family lost its seven-year-old son
last week after assailants gruesomely mutilated the boy’s body, taking away his
head, arms and legs and leaving just the torso.
The torso was recovered from the jaws of dogs. Tests
conducted at a laboratory in Harare confirmed the body parts were not a match
but belonged to a 14-year old.
Police have since arrested a cattle herder suspected of
murdering the 7 year old after being promised US$1500 for the minor’s head.
President Mnangagwa also raised concern over rising cases
of abuse of young children.
“My Government is gravely concerned with the threats to
wellbeing of children and youths emanating from various forms of abuse. We
continue to take several measures to give effect to our commitments to end
violence against children,” he said.
The President commended the young people for enduring the
burden of Covid-19 for close to six months during which they were not in
school.
“You have stood with your families and communities,
upholding the lockdown regulations set out by Government from time to time. I
know it was not easy for you all.
“Well done for the discipline and respect you showed for
the Government policies and the law. Never lose this important culture,” he
said.
Zimbabwe schools are expected to resume classes next Monday
under phases starting with exam classes.
President Mnangagwa said the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Development was availing resources for school fees and exam fees for
disadvantaged learners. “No children will be disadvantaged,” he said.
New Ziana
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