Prisoners say 'Thank you, Mrs Suzman'
April 16, 2004 Edition -1
I want to thank Helen Suzman for her great, articulate and mature opinion regarding the death sentence.
I would like her to know her opinion is solid and based on facts, rather than vengeance, political agendas and point-scoring.
As one of the greatest mothers in SA, we prisoners applaud and support her views and condemnation of the death sentence.
My research and discussion with most inmates illustrate their regret, pain and remorse for their convictions of murder. They blame this on lack of co-operation with the deceased and their lack of education, as well as government failure to provide job security or jobs in the fight against crime and poverty.
Conclusively, my finding shows the death sentence might not have been a better and lasting deterrent for their crime of murder. Job creation by all bodies and segments of the government and NGOs, as well as investors, would have been.
Thus I am of the opinion that Suzman's learned opinion and considerations are of great use, if the state and most other role players and politicians would give a well-deserved thought rather than hurry into unwise decisions.
I for one am a typical example of the errors and mistakes that could occur due to bias, racial bureaucracies and bunglings in the justice system.
Charles Manabela
Kutama Sinthumule Prison
Louis Trichardt
