IMAGINE having one’s testicles crushed for not telling the truth in court? (Ooo, ah, Cantona… cringe, shiver.).
Well that’s what some historians believe was common practice in ancient Rome. It is said two men taking an oath of allegiance held each other’s testicles as a sign of truthfulness in a public forum.
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Hence the word ‘testify’.
Ironically, primates actually started this testicle ritual millions of years ago.
Psychology Today helps us understand: “By letting Bob-the-ape fondle his testicles, Bill shows a great deal of trust in Bob’s good intentions. Bob could quickly and easily terminate Bill’s reproductive career for good.”
People still ‘testify’ in court today, but few know the actual origin of the word.
If they did and we re-introduced a similar practice in our courts today, we might just make a difference in fighting crime, especially those of a dastardly sexual nature.
(We can’t include Parliament as it is counter-productive to have male members without balls and the obvious feminine word for such a sentence would be in poor taste… and impractical.)
Sister Dudu Ndlovu and Dr Gerald Baldrey, who do tremendous work at the Rape Trauma Crisis Centre – started by Port Shepstone Rotary at the Regional Hospital – will both ‘attest’ that rape is rife on the South Coast, as it is all over our country. Dudu has even written a book on the subject.
Plus recent court cases show that paedophiles walk among us.
Politicians – including President Zuma himself (heh, heh) – love grandstanding and haranguing invisible offenders who are probably not even listening.
It is highly unlikely their tongue lashings will help a jot.
Some say the death penalty for rape should be re-introduced, but that might be a long stretch, considering our past when political activists were hanged for fighting against an unjust regime.
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Lopping off heads or limbs and stoning, as they do in some Middle Eastern countries, also seems a bit extreme.
However, there might well be a case for chemical castration. In other words, stick ’em where it hurts.
Surgical castration is conducted in some parts of the world, but whether this is done in South Africa is doubtful. Chemical castration is far more painless and humane, but could still be a great deterrent.
Men, put yourselves in the Jockey Y-fronts of someone intent on raping some poor individual, male or female. It could very well be the last time you get your end away.
No thanks! Surely most would want to live to love another day.
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