The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called on government to open up a national debate around the death penalty.
The party has reacted to the discovery of a murdered school boy in a shallow grave in Phoenix Durban on Monday, possibly identified by SAPS as 9-year old Miguel Louw.
IFP Chief Whip Narend Singh says the party has been approached by many South Africans who are calling for the reinstatement of capital punishment in the country.
About three or four months ago, I wrote to the constitutional review committee, asking that they initiate a national discourse on whether or not the punishment that is meted out to criminals that commit heinous crimes fits the crime. The overwhelming response we have been getting is people saying why don't you bring back the death penalty...
— Narend Singh, IFP Chief Whip
The right to life is enshrined in the constitution but so is responsibilities and there are limitation to rights. I am not arguing one way or the other but I am saying why don't we have an expert opinion on this.
— Narend Singh, IFP Chief Whip
Click on the link below to listen to the full conversation....
This article first appeared on 702 : [LISTEN] IFP says SA should be talking about the death penalty