Artistes call for Death Penalty in light of recent rape case

Dancehall artistes have condemned the recent upsurge in criminal activities on Jamaican soil. The entertainers also shared their opinions on the recent rape case involving five females in western Jamaica.
An eight-year-old girl and four other members of her family were all raped by two gunmen who forced their way into her home in Irwin Point, St James last Monday night.

Police reports are that the men held one member of the family, and threatened to kill that person, unless she opened the door to let them in.

The men also robbed the family of cellular phones, cash and jewellery.
According to dancehall/reggae artiste Khago, the culprits should be made to feel the highest level of punishment available.

"Mi nuh know what sorta man rape, it's hard to get into the mind of those sick people. It's not an easy job for the police, a just man haffi know sey it's wrong and don't go that route. How can somebody rape an eight year old? That is so wrong and the punishment should be stern so that others will see and know that they should not follow. There is no fitting punishment unless it's a rope around the culprit's neck," Khago said.

Stern punishment

According to Khago, stern punishment will have an impact on crime.

"A just the odda day mi get a traffic ticket for $5000 and when mi see di value of the ticket mi drive careful for the rest of the day. So that shows that strong penalties can reduce crime. It rough because wi a youth wey have son and daughter, suh it feel like a wi it happen to," Khago said.

Sub Konshus recording artiste Darrio also condemned the act of rape, and he too believes the government and police are not doing much to curtail these crimes.

"I'm mad about the situation, I have a daughter so it shake mi up. I think the law officials and government should have zero tolerance if they catch any of these persons. God forgive mi for saying this, but I feel that if they are caught their life should be taken. It makes no sense to send them to prison," he said.

"The local authority seems more concerned with motorists and traffic violations, they need to spend more time on hard crimes," Darrio added.

Veteran dancehall artiste Lady G sympathised with the police force, however, she too shared the view that the death penalty should be re-introduced.

"The law can only do so much and no more. What we are seeing now is that the devil is active in Jamaica more than before. If they are dealing with kids like this we are not going to have a future. What could possess somebody to rape an eight year old? It hurt my heart and people we need to look into ourselves because if we don't we are in for a serious judgement," she expressed.

"Dem man deh fi hang because dem nuh have nuh morals and feeling for nobody, they don't deserve to go to prison and live from taxpayer money. And dem muss memba sey fi dem time a guh come because God nah mek dem get wey wid it," Lady G warned.

Alliance Next Generation manager Cross Cris also had some advice for the government.

"It's obvious that most crimes are being committed by males especially younger ones. Therefore there needs to be more focus on male youths and get them more productive ... at the same time if you are convicted of rape then your sentence should mirror the crime that you committed," the Alliance member said.

(from Jamaica Star)

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