Dear Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services,

I wish to premise my inquiry by acknowledging that the taking of a life is not an easy matter, whether lawful or otherwise. I am however aware, I am sure that all of you in this committee, know that, anyone who comes from South Africa and visits Botswana, will not want to find themselves on the wrong side of the law within that neighboring country, specifically because Capital Punishment is alive and well in Botswana and serves as a deterrent against Wanton Violence and Murder.

However, we here in South Africa, especially against Vicious persons who derive joy from killing fellow persons, seem to believe that, a few years in prison will deter these hardened men and women from repeating their heinous crimes against humanity.

Kids are being violated and killed. Women are being violated and killed. Cash Protection Services employees are being bombed or shot to death in full public view in pursuit of CIT Robberies. The Auditor General reveals annual cases of Theft against Treasury or State by politicians and civil servants who believe this to be a victimless crime to literally steal from treasury through various corrupt means. In other countries, placing one's hands in the coffers of the state is seen as treason.

I guess my question is: For how long are we going to pretend like 25year life sentences at the expense of Tax Payers is a sufficient deterrent for these enemies of humanity? Same life sentences are shortened by parole in some cases, wherein the families of the Victims are revictimised by knowing that the perpetrators of the crimes that took their loved ones are to roam the streets again!

Is it not time we revisited the Capital Punishment Laws in South Africa, before murder and stealing from state coffers becomes the most common acts in our beloved country?