GBV in SA: Women for Change shares position on death penalty

Non-profit organisation (NPO) Women For Change expressed that as an organisation they do not believe the lack of the death penalty is the problem in South Africa.

This comes as a 10th dead body was found, this time in Soweto, Gauteng.

NPO Women for Change, who advocate against GBV and femicide in South Africa, released a statement on their stance regarding the call for the death penalty in South Africa. The death penalty is a formal court sentence where a convicted criminal is put to death.

The organisation expressed that they do not believe that the lack of the death penalty is the problem in South Africa. Instead, the organisation attitributes the issues to the speed of investigations, accountability and protection and support for survivors. Women for Change also expressed that the death penalty is irreversible and leaves no room for any mistakes.

“We understand the anger behind this demand. But South Africa’s biggest problem is not that our sentences are not severe enough. The problem is not simply the absence of the death penalty. Far too many perpetrators are not even arrested, while cases go unsolved or fail during investigation and prosecution. We also have serious concerns about corruption, investigative failures and wrongful convictions within our justice system,” read the statement.

“The death penalty is irreversible – a system that can get it wrong should never have the power to take a life,” read the statement.

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

The NPO also outlined what needs to change in order to move forward effectively including faster prosecutions and better-trained officials.

” We want a justice system that actually works. That means we need: Faster investigations and prosecutions. Better-trained and resourced officials. Accountability when cases are mishandled. Protection and support for survivors. Effective prevention of violence,” read the statement.

“Research has also not established that the death penalty deters homicide more effectively than alternative punishments. Justice must be effective, not simply more punitive,” read the statement.

JANEZ VERMEIREN ON THE DEATH PENALTY

Women for Change weren’t the only ones addressing the death penalty in South Africa, former Top Billing presenter Janez Vermeiren also spoke about this publicly. His stance, however, is that he feels South Africa needs to relook at the death penalty and the seriousness of the punishment should fit the crime.

“As South Africans, we need to relook and have a debate about the death penalty. Because if someone is convincted, beyond any reasonable doubt of rape, or of murder or of a violent crime… I believe the punishment should reflect the seriousness of what those animals have actually done,” he said.