The two pardoned rapists, Viking and Nguza, were sentenced to life in prison for raping 10 girls aged between six and eight years who were pupils at a primary school in the Tanzanian city Dar es Salaam.

The President announced the pardon in his Independence Day speech on Saturday.

Children's rights activists have condemned the pardon of two child rapists by the Tanzanian president.

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Kate McAlpine, director of Community for Children Rights, told the BBC she was "horrified but unsurprised".

She lamented the President's "lack of understanding about violence against children" and linked the pardon to the President's June announcement where he banned pregnant schoolgirls from returning to school.

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McAlpine pointed out the President’s nescience when it comes to addressing the plights of children.

“He has a blind spot when it comes to recognizing children as victims. Pregnant schoolgirls are pregnant because they are victims of violence," the director said.

Ms. McAlpine also said, "It's extremely rare for child rape cases to get to court in Tanzania."

Child rape cases in Tanzania tend to be dealt with between families, or rapists have been known to pay off police and court staff.

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