Reinstatement of the death penalty attracts public support

After an Alex News article Move to revive death penalty in Week ending 12 January was published, the local community radio station was inundated with calls from victims which sparked a debate.

According to activist and convener, Mike Beea, the debate on the reinstatement of the death penalty attracted a lot of public support.

Beea said public debates on the topic also launched in Diepsloot, Tembisa and Rabie Ridge, and will soon go countrywide and will result in a petition to the government.

Read: Move to revive death penalty

“The death penalty is the only deterrent to a crime culture that has normalised in our society – particularly violent killings which subject the victims to an ‘official death penalty’. This also causes the public to lose trust in the rule of law,” he said.

“It’s an effective deterrent in neighbouring countries and elsewhere where murder is rare.”

He claimed that criminal cases fizzle out before getting to court, victims were intimidated into not reporting the crimes, and witnesses were discouraged because people believe criminals are not apprehended or they receive lenient sentences.

He said the dependents of murder victims were left traumatised for life and not compensated, leaving them impoverished while the perpetrators were released to roam the streets and intimidate them.

“The petition is society demanding the protection of their constitutional right to life, freedom of expression and movement, against criminals who know they will be treated well in prison,” Beea added.

“Also, it will be the public’s contribution to a Constitution ratified by political parties without a referendum, where essential aspects like a harsh penalty for violent crimes would have been considered.”

He attributed crime to the many guns in circulation, saying they were introduced in black communities by the previous regime to incite black on black violence to protect that regime’s interests.

He added that the current government has no clue on how to control the glut of guns, even among children.

“Criminals from countries with death penalties flock to the country knowing they will be treated well with taxpayers’ money and won’t be extradited nor will their governments be asked to care for them while in local prisons.”

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Beea also blamed poor investigations, saying this led to hardcore criminals being released to continue terrorising victims’ dependents, even when there were protection orders against them.

He said the correctional services’ rehabilitation programme failed young offenders by placing them with hardened criminals, resulting in them re-offending. He added that they also find out how to access heavy weapons and explosives, which destroy the economy, leaving many unemployed.

He urged for more stringent regulations on ownership of both guns and knives; and for public awareness programmes on the constitutional right to life, freedom and movement.

Shirley Mathaga of Alex FM, said the debate aired after the article attracted responses from orphans and widows of crime who called in and complained about struggling with trauma and poverty and living in fear of the perpetrators being released back into society without their knowledge or protection by the state.

Parents are also worried about escalating gangsterism in schools.

Activist Bhekumuzi Mathonsi urged for the revival of discipline in families, educating children on their constitutional rights and responsibilities; and he called for the right to life to include anti-abortion, with a drive for those seeking abortions to rather be encouraged to opt for foster care and adoption.

Details: Mike Beea 072 846 8422.