29/11/2005 16:50 - (SA)

Cape Town - The government must change the definition of rape to recognise the male-on-male version, said the Democratic Alliance on Tuesday.

"It is an absolute disgrace that a Swiss citizen has got away with a virtual tap on the wrist for raping a South African boy, simply because the definition of rape does not include male-on-male rape," said DA MP Mike Waters.

In 1999, the law commission argued for a gender-neutral definition of rape, but six years on it has failed to develop this proposal any further, said Waters.

Swiss corporate lawyer Peter Zimmerman, 46, was arrested on October 14 when he was caught sodomising a 14-year-old boy in a Sandton Hotel suite.

However, Wynberg Magistrate's Court fined him R10 000 or 12 months in prison on November 18 after he agreed to plead guilty to indecent assault.

"In effect, this fine tells the world that there is a very cheap price to be paid for rape of South African boys," said Waters.