IFP Supports Death Penalty Referendum Call

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
Mr Koos van der Merwe
IFP Chief Whip and Spokesperson on Justice


September 29, 2006

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Chief Whip and Spokesperson on Justice, Mr Koos van der Merwe, said that the IFP fully supports the call of Judge Gerhardus Hattingh - who presided over the highly publicised Ngoepe case - to appeal to government to have a referendum regarding the death penalty now.

"The IFP calls on government to set the wheels of democracy in motion, to allow every citizen of this country to decide for themselves whether or not the death penalty should be reinstated," said Mr. Van der Merwe.

He continued: "The crime statistics released this week shows that we have an enormous problem with atrocious crimes such as murder and therefore every South African should be given the right to raise their voice through a referendum.

"The IFP also backs Judge Hattingh's statement that a life sentence was misleading to the public as prisoners were eligible for parole after spending 25 years in prison, depending on behaviour.

"Furthermore, we call on government to allow ordinary South Africans to decide for themselves on hotly debated issues by way of referendums. South Africa is a democracy, so, let South Africans decide on issues which affect their lives immeasurably," concluded Mr. Van der Merwe.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Koos van der Merwe 082 444 4944
Liezl van der Merwe 083 611 7470
Email: liezl@ifp.co.za
Url: www.ifp.org.za