If we’re equal in life, then why are we not also equal in death?
THE second part of the editorial, “Senzo: shooting from the lip” (November 2) asks perhaps the most pertinent question of all in light of Senzo Meyiwa’s murder: “Are some lives worth more than others?”
The high-profile coverage and emphasis placed on the murders of Anni Dewani, Reeva Steenkamp and Senzo Meyiwa highlight how the lives of the hoi polloi in South Africa pale into insignificance when compared to “celebrities”.
If we are all created equal in life, then we should be equal in death. The enthusiasm and urgency with which these cases were given prominence suggests that the other “50 people murdered each day” do not matter as much.
The hullabaloo suddenly about gun laws by the ANC is again paying lip service to the ideals of genuinely combating rampant crime.
This government is squarely responsible for the rise in crime, and the lack of adequate security for its citizens speaks volumes. It has the resources and infrastructure to implement strategies of enforcement, yet has been pathetically loath to do so effectively.
No matter what the reasons, or rather excuses, people are being slaughtered every day by the vermin that roam this land. And unless laws are changed radically with severe punitive measures, including the death penalty for capital crimes, and law enforcement is upped dramatically, you and I will become the sitting ducks to add to those horrific statistics every single day. — Narendh Ganesh, Durban North
Cherish the memory
“DEAR killer: You’ve stolen our shining star” (November 2) refers. Bra BBK: We thank God you lived to tell your tale. It’s sad the same can’t be said about Nzori. He might not be with us any more, but memories are immortal. — Siyabonga Gamane, by SMS
BBK captures the anguish
THIS is such a well-written column and I feel so sad because I identify with everything BBK says about the murderer. My 76-year-old mother was beaten to death by some murderer who violated my home and my mother’s bedroom. Such tragedy, sadness and just so unnecessary. — Dawn, by SMS
Murdered for a cellphone
CALL to prayer or to death? My cousin Ameen Sirkhot stepped out for prayer at 5am, a week before Senzo died. Four guys were waiting to rob him. He fought back. They took his cellphone and shot him at close range. The panic button saved his wife and daughter inside. No arrests have been made. — Zulekha Vahed, by SMS
Support for Kelly Khumalo
THE narration of Meyiwa’s death by Kelly Khumalo in “Senzo: We saw what really happened” (November 2) is very painful. I pray to God to give her strength to get through this because she has been unfairly accused from all corners. — Zenzele Makhanya, by e-mail
Heart-rending photo
Give taxman his tithe
THE photo of a grief-stricken Sox Molefe and Gopustso Ngwenya (November 2), who were among the mourners at the funeral of Meyiwa, was one of the best this year. Congratulations to Jackie Clausen. — Dhayalan Moodley, Mobeni Heights I AGREE with Barney Mthombothi in “Bangbroek diplomacy leaves SA citizens in the lurch again” (November 2) and am glad that he touches on the issue of taxing churches and other religious organisations. These are voluntary organisations that are not in the public interest in the way NPOs can be said to be. They exist purely for the benefit of their members, much like stokvels. There cannot be any rational or, under our secular constitution, legal reason to give them tax exemption. — Diale Rangaka, by SMS
My mother’s ordeal
“NEW death as old-age home faces probe” (November 2) refers. I also want to tell my story and let my mom know that we care.
My mom stays in a government village in Turffontein and was happy there for more than 10 years until two months ago when she was brutally assaulted. A man of 40 who is staying with his parents next to my mom in the village assaulted her over his pension money.
His mother lied to him and told him that my mother had his pension money. He then hit my mother and my mother is still not well. At the time we were under the impression that he was mentally ill and we did not continue with the criminal case. We found out recently that he was not mentally ill.
I requested the supervisor to remove him from the village because none of the old people feel safe there. He is still living there with his parents. The social worker involved did not even offer counselling for the trauma my mother went through. — Jenny Jacobs, by e-mail
We need gun control
“WHY Women’s League backed Steenkamps” (October 26) by minister Edna Molewa refers. It is commendable to see the ANC Women’s League supporting victims of our violent society as well as showing compassion to bereaved families. The gesture is very much in line with our norms and customs, and we would not expect anything less from this very important constituency.
However, the biggest gift that can be given to all these families, and our society broadly, is for the league to use these experiences and lessons to influence policy and legislation. Given the propensity for violence that South Africans have, there should be a very strong lobby for all South Africans to be disarmed, and consideration should be given to allowing guns to be carried only by [police] and the army. If society wants to see an end to these cowboy tendencies, that is the discourse we need to have. — Molefe D Makhene, Fourways
Post Office paralyses me
“WHEN snail mail slows to no mail at all . . .” (November 2) refers. I have been operating a niche business since 1966, buying and exporting natural products.
I need a steady stream of supplies from small country towns, most of which have a post office but no other mailing system. I then need export facilities which are safe, ie registration or tracking facilities for
Bad choices will haunt you
ZUMA was invited by Cameron on a previous occasion for a Nelson Mandela memorial. He chose to go to Mugabe’s daughter’s wedding! Talk about respect? — Sid Ottery, by SMS
It’s a question of manners
NOT showing up at an event where you are the opening speaker — as Zuma did for the InnovaBrics meeting — speaks poorly of etiquette and manners in any language or culture. — Muhammad Omar, Durban North small items. Postnet does not supply that. I could use couriers, but the minimum charge for customs-cleared items is R600 or thereabouts.
As a result, my business is paralysed in that I cannot obtain stock and if I could, the export mailing is either too risky or too expensive. — R Rawe, Uvongo
Waste of farming space
THE report “I’m ready to talk — Modise” (November 2) that Thandi Modise’s farm animals are now being better cared for raises the issue why they were left to die before by a novice farmer.
Perhaps as a very senior ANC politician she had expected the benefits of “protection” as afforded to Zuma. Or maybe she simply joined the many politicians who want to own a farm but have no clue how to farm it. Worse, these “hobby” farmers are taking up valuable land that should be used for commercial farming to feed the rapidly growing population. — Ron Legg, Hillcrest
Wrong spin on parliament
HOW could you come to the conclusion that “Deputy Speaker wants ‘better spin’ to counter EFF” (November 2), while relying on nameless “parliamentary communicators” to back up this claim? Even more amazing is how your reporter proceeded with his interpretation after I had phoned him to explain the purposes of the meetings I had with the Parliamentary Communication Services (PCS). The meetings were part of ongoing internal and external discussion processes.
For the record, the image of the presiding officers or the EFF never arose, even as examples, in the meetings.
The general atmosphere in the meetings with the PCS, contrary to the claim in the article, was welcoming.
As presiding officers, we are working to construct a better relationship between management, staff, and the political leadership of the institution.
I explained that these meetings are conducted among internal units to alert them to the process of devising a strategy for the fifth parliament as required by law. These meetings lay a foundation for development of the strategy that will soon be tabled to the houses of parliament.
The story about “better spinning to counter the EFF” or to “improve our image” is a figment of the imagination of the sources of the reporter, the reporter himself and the headline writer.
I do have sufficient political platforms to express my views. I resent anybody throwing their words up as mine, especially when they ignored those that I actually conveyed.— Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker
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The Editor reserves the right to cut letters to fill available space.