Gender Commission wants witchcraft law reviewed as part of probe into statutory rape, teen pregnancies

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has called on Parliament to review the country’s almost 70-year-old law on witchcraft as part of its investigation into statutory rape and teen pregnancies.

CGE commissioner Princess Eurika Mogane said acts practised under the guise of religion, but which harm the rights of children, also need to be called out.

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On Monday, the Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities continued its engagements with organisations and civil society groups on the matter, as it looks to make recommendations to Parliament aimed at providing greater protection to children.

Civil society groups have presented Parliament with similar findings that statutory rape matters are often covered up by families themselves eluctant to report perpetrators because of the financial benefits they often derive to stay silent.

Despite being obligatory in law, health professionals and educators seldom report cases due to ignorance or fearing reprisal.

But Mogane said witchcraft can’t be discounted as an influencing factor in child rape.

“We find that there are key business individuals, key community leaders that are told that if you want to have more power, if you want to have more wealth, sleep with virgins.”

The Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957 was last amended in 1970 to prescribe punishments for such acts.

Mogane said a review is long overdue.

“Let us define the difference between what is culture, and what is an obvious witchcraft practice because that’s what we are trying to work towards in Mpumalanga.”

She added that churches promoting polygamy with child brides must also be challenged.

Committee hairperson Liezl van der Merwe said Parliament will now compile a report of recommendations for further public input.

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