The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa wants the death penalty to be reinstated following the rise in gender-based violence. Contralesa believes the death penalty should be reinstated in order to help stop the killing of women and children in the country.
Contralesa president Kgoshi Mathuba Mokoena says politicians have failed to deal with the rise in cases of gender-based violence in South Africa. Mokoena believes South Africans should be given an opportunity to vote on a referendum on the death penalty.
“It’s high time now, since government can’t act on these things decisively, to test the will of the people as to whether they want the death penalty back or not,” Mokoena says.
The chief said jail time is not a deterrent in any way as they are “enjoying life” in prisons at the taxpayer’s expense. He believes the death penalty could be a stronger deterrent against those who commit violent acts against women and children. “People will be scared knowing that if I do this, I might die.”
Mokoena said the country’s recidivism rate shows that criminals in South Africa are more likely to re-offend after they have served their sentences. According to Mokoena, offender rehabilitation programmes are not serving their purpose and are clearly not working.
His call comes after the death of missing 6-year-old girl Bontle Mashiyane who was found raped and murdered. Three suspects have been arrested for her murder and one of the suspects is allegedly out on parole.
Source: Eyewitness News, Briefly South Africa, image from Eyewitness News