PARLIAMENT has passed the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 2026, making a number of offences non-bailable, among them rape, defilement, incest, stock theft, theft of medicine and medical supplies, and the stealing of strategic minerals such as copper, gold and diamonds. On the issue of sexual offences, we understand why the Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council is commending Parliament for the intervention. But we are worried about application. Of course, cases of rape, defilement and other forms of sexual abuse have been reported with disturbing regularity. Hardly a week would pass without another heartbreaking story involving a child, a young girl, a vulnerable woman or, in some cases, even a victim attacked by someone known and trusted...