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Zuma questions bail for rapists
11/04/2008 17:35 - (SA)
Richards Bay - ANC president Jacob Zuma on Friday said that the issue of bail for those accused of rape and murder needed to be debated.
Speaking at the launch of the KZN Institute of Local Government and Traditional Leadership Fundraising Summit, Zuma said: "I don't think we have debated the issue.
"Let us do something that favours the victim and not the criminal."
Asked if he was personally in favour of rape and murder accused being denied bail, Zuma said: "I'm not saying its my personal view. I want to say that these things need to be looked at."
Zuma cited a number of examples where members of the public had questioned him about criminals being released on bail.
"I have not been able to give them answers. We overstretch human rights some times," he said.
He pointed out that once a murder had taken place a person's right to life had already been infringed.
"We need to look at the things we do that don't favour the victim."
He also said it was an "open secret" that murderers released on bail often interfered with witnesses.
Zuma said he believed that education could play a major role in combating crime.
He said that education needed to go beyond schools and into homes and at the same time chastised what he described as "anti-educational" programmes being broadcast to children and the youth.
"If we don't educate people, a hundred years from now we will still be a developing nation."
The ANC president decried the lack of manners among the youth and the fact that many were drinking at taverns.
He said that in his youth, youngsters gave up their bus seats for the elderly.
"Today, they simply tell you that they also paid their bus fare."
- SAPA
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