NNP wants death for rapists
2002-08-09 12:50
Cape Town - The murder and possible rape of former first lady Marike de
Klerk strengthened the New National Party's case for the
reinstatement of the death penalty, NNP leader Marthinus van
Schalkwyk said on Friday.
"When you add the figures for assault, murder and other crimes
against women it is clear that criminals in South Africa have
targeted women and children as easy victims," he said at a Women's
Day rally in Kleinvlei, Western Cape.
Longer sentences, stricter bail conditions, and the
reinstatement of the death penalty for murder, rape, and armed
robbery with aggravating circumstances would act both as a
deterrent and an appropriate punishment.
"Only this week we heard that former first lady, and former
president of the NNP Women's Action, Mrs Marike de Klerk, was not
only brutally murdered but allegedly raped too," Van Schalkwyk
said.
He also referred to the life sentence imposed two weeks ago on
the man who raped Baby Tshepang in Upington in the Northern Cape.
"In passing sentence Judge Hennie Lacock called it the most
gruesome human rights violation he had ever seen - and added that
the rapist deserved the death sentence."
It was time to send a clear message to criminals that they would
not be permitted to continue ruining the lives of women in South
Africa, Van Schalkwyk said.
"Despite the gains we have made in South Africa in the area of
women's rights, we must acknowledge that until every mother, wife
and daughter in our country is free from fear, we will not deserve
the label of truly democratic."
- SAPA