Africa-Press – Mozambique. After the police released the two teenagers indicted for the stabbing and murder of a classmate at Matola-Gare Elementary School, as well as the four students who raped their 15-year-old classmate near Machava Km 15 Elementary School, because, as minors, they cannot be held criminally responsible, the Maputo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office told the press on Wednesday that the teenagers are not yet receiving any rehabilitation.
Maputo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson José Manuel explains that the case is now pending with the Juvenile Court, the institution responsible for handling cases involving minors, for a final decision on what measures can be applied to the adolescents.
“At this time, the minors involved in this case are with their families. The process is ongoing at the court level, with assistance. As mentioned here, we represent the minors under the Constitution and applicable law. The case will continue, and a series of activities may be arbitrated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. First, the issue of medical and psychological assistance for these children, the possibility of providing community activities, and the possibility of placing them in a vocational training centre, because the goal is, in fact, to rehabilitate these children,” José Manuel explained.
Since the country only has one rehabilitation centre for adolescents over 16, located in Boane, which four months ago was catering for 42 people, José Manuel says it is urgent to create a centre for those who are not criminally accountable.
“We have a situation here which is the non-existence of a rehabilitation centre for those teenagers who are unimputable [can not be held criminally accountable]. The country still lacks one, at least in our province. We do not have a facility to accommodate non-imputable minors at all. As already mentioned, these are those under 16. We have a youth rehabilitation centre in Boane, but it is exclusively for minors held criminally responsible. In this case, they are all minors, but they are accountable, and over 16. Therefore, for juvenile rehabilitation, the rehabilitation centre does not accommodate the unimputable minors. This is a challenge facing all of us, especially the State, to urgently rethink this situation and create centres so we can work in the best possible way,” he reiterated.
Regarding the possibility of a legal review to lower the age of criminal accountability, Manuel has reservations, considering it a topic that deserves deep reflection from society.
“The transformation of minors is the responsibility of all of us, not just the Public Prosecutor’s Office, or even any specific law. Therefore, the responsibility for transforming minors cannot be limited to a single law. It is the responsibility of all of us. We are all called to intervene. And it is urgent that each of us, at our own level – as a father, mother, or guardian – can intervene in the best way possible, introspect, analyze within our family whether or not we are fulfilling our role properly, and correct any flaws. It is obvious that we need effective legislation, dynamic legislation, legislation that can lead the way and not be dragged along by them. I am certain that this matter regarding the reduction of the age of criminal responsibility can be studied and analysed,” he concluded.
The provincial prosecutor’s office says it is increasingly concerned about the incidence of crimes involving adolescents in neighbourhoods in Matola, Machava, and Infulene, despite ongoing awareness-raising efforts.
According to the source, for a little over six months now, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has been setting up prevention and control centres on drug and alcohol trafficking and consumption in seven secondary and primary schools in Maputo province.
The initiative involves students, teachers, parents, and legal guardians.
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