SA is a safe haven for murderers

SOUTH Africa has become the murder capital of the world. The statistics for the year 2023 show that 27 368 people were murdered, which means on average 84 murders were committed per day.

Even foreigners who plan to murder come here, like in the case of Anni Dewani, whose new husband brought her here for their honeymoon, knowing very well he wanted a murder without consequences. His plan worked like a charm – even the murderer has long been released on parole.

Those opposed to the death penalty on the grounds that it is not a deterrent know deep down that there is no truth in that. Botswana has no tolerance for murderers, so what do they do? They commit the murder and emigrate to South Africa, a safe haven for murderers.

I would understand if the government would find the recruitment of people willing to administer such punishment difficult, but all the murder cases in court right now prove that in South Africa there is no shortage of people who will kill for money.

Up to six or more killers are involved in any assassination, which proves how easy it would be to recruit people for this job, rendering a much-needed service for the country, instead of slaughtering innocent victims. Gender-based violence has resulted in gruesome killings; in some cases motivated by vengeance resulting in mutilation of the body. Life sentences are definitely not a deterrent as parole is always granted too soon with usually a repeat of the same crime.

The death penalty must only be reserved for undisputed cases where there can be no condemning of an innocent person, otherwise a system such as ours, where perpetrators of violence are assumed to have more rights to life than the innocent victims, is just not working. COMETH DUBE-MAKHOLWA | Midrand