Death penalty is no solution

THE LETTER, “How ANC can gain respect” (Cape Argus, October 10), cites the return of the death penalty as one of this writer’s suggestions which “could make money saved (by executing people) available to reduce the cost of university education and increase the budget for housing”. The ANC hanging people like its arch-enemy did?

One of the decisions taken at Codesa was the abolition of the death penalty, a wise decision taking into account our brutal past. Of all the participating parties, the ANC, at times under immense pressure, was the only one steadfastly opposing its reintroduction, fully aware of its dire consequences.

The NP was the most vociferous, even screaming out on its 1994 election posters “Hang the murderers! Hang the rapists!” The cowardly DA opted to allow its members a so-called “free vote” on this contentious issue, leaving the door open for a referendum when it should one day succeed in coming to power. All the others had hoped by supporting death penalty they would gain votes. The opposite happened.

Our Constitutional Court, on June 6, 1995, rubber-stamped this bold step with a unanimous vote of 11-0 to abolish this scourge once and for all. So why would mischievous instigators of violence, which is exactly what the death penalty is, repeatedly call for its reintroduction?

The world is rapidly moving away from this cruel form of punishment. Only rogue states and the world’s bullies are clinging to it, but pressure is mounting for the world to be rid of it forever.

Again, lovers of death penalty should tell us how they intend killing 20 000 people every year. That is, if the police can catch them, and they get convicted. Must we again experience death squads, gas chambers, extra-judicial killings, Sunday afternoon stonings, mass graves?

There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who support violence, and those who oppose it. There are only two kinds of states: those that believe in death penalty, and those that don’t. The most prosperous are the latter group. KOERT MEYER Welgelegen