'Bring back death penalty'
2003-03-15 12:53
Cape Town - Former Western Cape premier Gerald Morkel has called for the reintroduction of the death penalty in a bid to curb gang violence on the Cape Flats.
He made it on Saturday at the funeral of nine-year-old Miquela Appollis, slain by gangster crossfire near her home in Steenberg.
She was one of four Cape Flats children who fell victim to gang bullets this week, prompting the police to bring in reinforcements from other areas. The Democratic Alliance has also called for a state of emergency.
Morkel, who was ousted as the Western Cape leader of the DA at the beginning of this month, said his call was his own position, not that of his party.
He said the Constitution had to be amended "so you can look at these heinous crimes, and bring back the death penalty again".
His words were applauded by the hundreds of people who crammed the Old Apostolic Church in Steenberg, only a few blocks from where Miquela was killed.
In his address to mourners, Western Cape local government MEC Cobus Dowry said he agreed with Morkel that the Constitution should be changed.
It was "too focussed on human rights", and gave criminals too much leeway.
Criminals should be treated like criminals, he said, not put in jails that were like "five star hotels" with television and electric kettles.
Government's most important task was to ensure the safety of communities.
"Our war is on the Cape Flats and this is where the government must turn its attention... our war is against gangs," he said.
"We must take back the streets, we must take back the parks, we must take the community back."
Bouquets of flowers, ranging from professional arrangments to a handful of blossoms in a plastic yoghurt container, were set out at the front of the church during the service.
On Miquela's three-quarter-size white coffin there was an arrangement of white daisies and white roses.
Several uniformed schoolmates from her school, Floreat Primary, attended the service.
One of the hymns sung was: With my Saviour ever near to guide me, which has the chorus: I am safe, whatever may betake me... In the hollow of his hand I am safe, whatever may betide me.
Miquela was buried at the Eden Memorial cemetery in Ottery after the service.
- SAPA