Gender Minister’s Role in Rape Scandal Questioned By Aruna Turay A good number of Sierra Leoneans who witnessed the first court sitting in the rape case involving the sacked Deputy Minister of Education, Mamoud Tarawali raised eyebrows and suspicions over the role of the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Moijueh Kaikai, in the rape scandal. Minister Moijueh Kaikai, who had earlier stated that his ministry was going to play a neutral role in this rape matter, was spotted in court publicly displaying solidarity for the accused. Eyewitnesses claimed that Kaikai had a long handshake with the accused while he was still in the dock. This took place shortly after the remand order was pronounced by the no nonsense magistrate. It is further alleged that Kaikai was seated close to the accused rapist prior to the commencement of court proceeding. “They held suspicious discussions right in our presence,” an eyewitness alleged. Several onlookers were heard grumbling that the actions of Kaikai in a rape case were totally unacceptable and unethical, especially so that he is not just a minister but the minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs. “From a general point of view in Africa, shaking hands with other people after an incident had happen is like to say congratulation to him/her for his/her role in the said incident,” said a school teacher who was in the court room and saw it all happening. He said: “If a sitting minister, especially a minister responsible for the protection of women and children in a country shook hands with an alleged rapist, it simply signifies that the minister is either congratulating the alleged rapist for what he has done or simply assuring him of his support”. Moijueh Kaikai’s suspicious move left the entire court room in murmuring. However, a few others argue that Moijueh was merely empathizing with a friend and former colleague. However, this same school of thought accepts the fact that the public show of solidarity was not necessary.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 23:59:38 +0000
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