New Law to Punish Parents for Children's Offenses

Government gazzettes the Children’s Amendment Act which has provisions to punish parents for their children’s crimes.

ALSO READ: Violation of Children's Rights Rampant in Zimbabwe

Section 13 of the Children’s Amendment Act says a parent who fails to prevent their child from committing a crime shall be punished as if they are the ones who committed it. It says:

“Any person, including a parent or guardian of a child who —

(a) encourages a child to commit an offence; or

(b) trains a child in the commission of an offence; or

(c) knowingly provides a child with facilities to commit an offence; or

(d) being a parent or guardian of a child fails to take reasonable steps to ensure that the child does not commit an offence where the parent or guardian of the child was in a position to take such steps;

shall be guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties that could have been imposed on him or her had he been guilty of the offence that the child committed.”

Zimbabweans online expressed mixed reactions to the Children’s Amendment Act. See some of the reactions from citizens below 👇🏾

Joshua:

“They came with their Western laws forbidding parents to punish these ama2k. Now they are causing problems. They want to hold them accountable for it as well… Them lawmakers should account for their actions.”

Ronika:

“Tangai manosunga vabereki vevanhu varikuba goridhe tione tozoenda mberi.”

Carrington:

“Hakuna mtemo wakadaro, mwana akawanikwa achitengesa madrugs nyangwe vabereki vasingazive imhosva yemubereki here?”

Tendai:

“Hakuna mubereki angada kuti mwana wake apare mhosva.mubereki wose anoshuvira zvakanaka kuvana vake.”