Letters | Drastic punishment

The attacks on women and children are nothing new in SA, they have been going on for years. With the murder of several women more or less simultaneously, people are suddenly more aware of this scourge.

The authorities, as they face an election later this year, have, out of the blue, come to the party and expressed some concern. While women are calling for police protection, it is somewhat naive to expect the police to protect every woman in South Africa.

While I accept that the police service is generally inept, it cannot be everywhere at the same time. Unless forewarned, the state is helpless. What is required is more drastic punishment for these awful crimes of assault and the killing of women and children by such demons.

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We have become soft on crime, with the “bleeding hearts” among us calling for sympathy for the perpetrators of crime. While attacks on women in SA show no sign of abating, the government concerns itself with so-called crimes committed by Israel.

I wonder if the Israeli question is not a smokescreen to distract attention away from SA’s frightening crime statistics? It is time for the government to prioritise the concerns of SA citizens and stop addressing issues 7 000 kilometres away.

Why should taxpayers have to feed, clothe and entertain these demons in jail if found guilty? Society has no place for such felons and if convicted, they should just be placed in front of a firing squad. End of story.

Kevin Meineke Summerveld Outer Durban