Death penalty doesn’t stop crime

The inflammatory letter, “Death penalty ban has led to increase in serious crime” (June 27), cannot go unchallenged. My daughter bought this paper on her way from the National Arts Festival.

As with all letters calling for its reinstatement this one is also full of lies, half-truths, myths and distortions.

These writers thrive on the fears, hatred, longing for vengeance and retribution, and unforgiveness of a gullible public simply because the death penalty can only operate in an environment where these destructive forces are present.

It is not only farmers who are murdered.

What about ordinary poor victims falling at the hands of gangsters, policemen and women, security guards transporting our monies, victims of drunk and reckless drivers?

It is a blatant lie that the abolition of the death penalty caused serious crime to increase. There was just as much, if not more, violence and extra-judicial killings in the evil apartheid era.

People like this writer were just not as much affected by it then, since apartheid security forces kept it away from them.

It is not true that jail is not a deterrent to criminals. It has never been proven anywhere scientifically or empirically that the death penalty has indeed any deterrent value. It is not true that “they” get board and lodging for a long time.

To take away one’s freedom by incarceration is one of, if not the strongest, deterring measure. These folks will only understand what the meaning of rights for everyone, even the vilest criminals, mean when they themselves or their relatives have to face the full force of the law.

Their only “solution” is to stir up emotions of an already fearful public like this writer is doing by calling for mass rallies.

Our country is facing its most volatile run-up to its most defining election next year.

Newspapers, churches and politicians should be wary of jumping on this wild bandwagon forever gaining momentum to the abyss, which will be devastating for our young democracy.

The death penalty has never ever worked, not now nor in future. Many countries have realised this and are today thriving.

Koert Meyer Welgelegen, Cape Town