Mohloai Mpesi
One could be charged an amount not exceeding M3 000 for emotional and verbally abusing another.
This is according to the Counter Domestic Violence Bill (2021) presented by the Minister of Gender Likeleli Tampane in parliament this week.
Tampane passed the Bill that could see domestic violence put to rest especially the undetected symptoms of abuse such as the emotionally and verbally ill-treated people.
“If a person is involved in emotional, verbal, psychological abuse and stalking commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding M3000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both,” she said adding that physical abusers will attract a fine tuning to M5000.
“Physical abuse commits an offence and is liable on conviction to community service a fine not exceeding M5000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or both.
Tampane continued that one who does a direct and intentional contact to another’s private parts without their consent commits an offence that attracts a fine of M5000.
“Cunnings, fellatio or any form of genital stimulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding M5000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both,” she said.
“If a person, without the consent of the other person comes in direct contact with anus, breasts, penis, buttocks, thighs or vagina of the person or says sexual utterance commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not above M5500 or to imprisonment of period not exceeding two years.
“One who exposes or displays genital organs commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding M2500 or to imprisonment for period not exceeding one year or both.
“If one coerces another to reproduce commits an offence and liable on conviction a fine not exceeding M20 000 or to imprisonment for period not exceeding fifteen years or both.
“Who technologically abuses the complainant commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding M5000 or to imprisonment for a period three years or both.
“One who forces a child into marriage commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding M10 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years or both,” she said.
“If one engages in sororate and levirate marriage commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand maloti or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years. Has sexual intercourse with a father-in-law and a daughter-law commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding M5000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both,” she said.
