Lusaka - Zambia President Levy Mwanawasa has ordered prison authorities to stop the rampant cases of sexual abuse in Zambian prisons, a state-run newspaper said on Wednesday.
Mwanawasa said violent convicts engaging in sodomy by forcing themselves on young inmates was a repugnant behaviour which must be stopped.
"This cannot be tolerated. These people are in your custody and must therefore be protected from violent criminals...," he was quoted by the Zambia Daily Mail as having told the prison authorities.
Human rights organisations in Zambia have voiced their concern over the reported increase in young prisoners who are abused by their fellow inmates.
Mwanawasa also said that sexual abuse contributed to the increase in the number of cases of HIV and Aids, which was creating problems for the country's social and economic development.
"I understand the cases of sodomy are widespread, resulting in some prisoners getting infected with HIV and Aids," he said. - Sapa-AFP