PRESS STATEMENT FROM
THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY

IFP PROPOSES NEW LOOK AT PUNISHMENTS FOR RAPISTS

*GOVERNMENT SHOULD INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE USE OF CHEMICAL CASTRATION FOR REPEAT RAPISTS.

CAPE TOWN : OCTOBER 27, 1999

During interpellations in the National Assembly today, IFP Parliamentary Spokesperson on Women's Issues, Ms Suzanne Vos MP and her IFP colleague, Professor Gabriel Ndabandaba MP, urged Deputy President Jacob Zuma to take a new look at punishments for rapists.

Suzanne Vos and Professor Ndabandaba urged the Deputy President to consider new approaches to punishing rapists, including research into the option of "chemical castration" for repeat offenders or those seeking parole.

Suzanne Vos said:

"Is it not time that we in this House start getting creative and start concentrating people's minds to new consequences for their actions."

"As a first step why aren't we seriously exploring sentencing the testosterone-overloaded criminals.. to chemical castration? How will we know what the reaction will be unless we research the issue within our own borders?"

"Those men that are raping and plundering at will, don't fear or respect the law. We know that. Maybe this will concentrate their minds." 

Studies in Denmark and Switzerland had shown that voluntary chemical castration reduced recidivism rates from 50% or higher to less than 10%.

Summing up the interpellation, Suzanne Vos said:

"Just how desperate are we to stop this evil in society? As I asked in yesterday's debate, do desperate times call for desperate measures?"

For further information: Suzanne Vos MP 082 303 0451

IFP Media Office Jonny Oates 082 649 7584