Chemical castration has been legalised in a few countries, but would South Africa ever follow suit? Photo: Unsplash
Chemical castration has been legalised in a few countries, but would South Africa ever follow suit? Photo: Unsplash
The Government of Thailand has moved one step closer to introducing a controversial new policy, which would offer chemical castration to convicted sex offenders IN EXCHANGE for a more lenient jail sentence.
Plans to punish sex offenders spark intense debate
The proposals – which would result in prisoners receiving an injection to lower their testosterone levels – are raising eyebrows across the planet, drawing both praise AND condemnation. The Bill now is now awaiting official royal approval.
Chemical castration may be offered to sex offenders in Thailand in return for less prison time https://t.co/dJtnJEOxxB
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 12, 2022
Who supports chemical castration in South Africa?
Given South Africa’s own struggles against gender-based violence, rape, and sexual assault, some local politicians see chemical castration as a viable political policy. However, reflecting how contentious this topic is, only a handful of officials have actually gone public with their support.
They include the following high-profile figures:
Former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini
- The always-outspoken Dlamini said in 2020 that law enforcement officials must start considering chemical castration as a punishment
“There should be no bail for rape and there must be no parole for rapists. There must be chemical castration for those found guilty of rape. Judges, police and lawyers dealing with women abuse issues must be better equipped to deal with such cases.”
Bathabile Dlamini
Current Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise
- As a former rape victim herself, Modise is the loudest voice within the ANC Cabinet on this particular matter
“Given the unacceptable levels that the [gender-based violence] scourge has reached across the country, the chemical castration of rapists could serve as a deterrent in reducing rape.”
Thandi Modise
ANC Women’s League Secretary-General Meokgo Matuba
The long-serving SG of the organisation has vowed to ‘mobilise all women‘ to form a consensus on this policy
“The law is not an adequate deterrent for rapists. We mean business, we’re serious about chemical castration. We’re going to mobilise all women across the country, and including in the continent, to work with us on this matter to make sure that our voices are heard.”
Meokgo Matuba
