Relieved by granddaughter’s absence

TODAY is the day plus one after Eid-ul-Fitr, Safiyyah. The anticipatory euphoria associated with the culmination of Eid – after 30 days of fasting and spiritual recharging – gave way to the news of the tragic death of Hillary Gardee.

She was the daughter of Godrich Gardee, the former secretary-general of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

All lives matter. The words of Don Maclean's Vincent fits squarely with what follows.

“They would not listen then, they did not know how. Perhaps they will listen now.”

Vincent aptly frames the state we are in.

What sort of justice would it take to satisfy this callous murder.

The South African Police Service will galvanise into action. And then that will evaporate – with an indulgent media in tow.

I feel empathy for Godrich Gardee. No parent should be confronted with what he is going through.

Sixty million people cannot ease the permanence of violence that he is a recipient of.

It took a gruesome tragedy, the killing of his daughter, for the EFF to spring into action.

The current regime of punishing violent criminals is not working.

Thousands of people – men and women – have died violent deaths. We can’t attribute one death for action to be taken. Let’s face the truth. South Africa is in a state of failure.

Life imprisonment for the perpetrators of violent crimes does not serve as a deterrence.

Like the US Supreme Court did an about-turn, we must consider the reintroduction of the death penalty.

I am so relieved you are not here.

Your Dada.

SABER AHMED JAZBHAY

Newlands West