SA laws are too lenient for murderers and rapists

“I JUST pray it’s not Miguel” was an emotional article in the POST (September 5-9) but it was a wake-up call for all of us who have children at school.

In South Korea a few years back, a police chief resigned and took responsibility for a rape and a murder and even pleaded for forgiveness from the family.

How different from our set-up. It is sad that our ministers will take the job, but not the responsibility. I am concerned there is a trend that while more murders are taking place, many families are forgiving these callous killers even before they appear in court and these killers claim they are remorseful for what they have done, expecting a lighter sentence.

I believe that while forgiveness may help to bring closure, especially when people are murdered, it is no easy way to accept the loss of human life.

We need to start thinking about radical measures to curb crime. While people may think I’m wasting my breath, I do believe it’s time that communities unite to stamp out crime, which has become the cancer of this country, and to establish innovative ways to fight this scourge.

The time has come for the Constitution to be changed to stop protecting the criminals and start protecting its citizens. It is time for the death sentence to apply. The killing of a child is our darkest hour. I feel ashamed.