[LISTEN] Do you think bringing back the death penalty will reduce crime?

Eusebius McKaiser debates whether the death penalty with callers and says it should never be reinstated.

The crime stats released by the Police department sent shock waves to the nation.

They revealed that 57 people are murdered in South Africa every day.

Many people have been debating whether the death penalty should be reinstated to deal with crime or not.

Others argue that this is against human rights and some people are convicted wrongfully.

Callers on the open line on the Eusebius McKaiser show aired their views as well.

Let's say if we bring back the death penalty we amend it. If you are sentenced to death, you get a grace period of about two years to appeal the sentence. This will help deter the criminals. It can be applied to those who attack the State first, then maybe we can bring it down to ordinary citizens later.
Aubrey, Caller

I disagree with you. I think we must never ever bring back the death penalty. The IFP is wrong for calling for it, and I think even if many South Africans in a referendum were to vote to say we want the death penalty, I hope the Constitutional Court will not support it.
Eusebius McKasier, Show host

Criminologists have for decades been studying what may deter people from committing crime. They have established that the best way to deter people from doing any wrong, is to make sure that the chances of them being caught; charged and successfully prosecuted are as high as possible.
Eusebius McKasier, Show host

Can't it be that minimum sentence for killing a cop whereby you are attacking the state should be a death penalty?
Vincent, Caller

@Eusebius let's agree to disagree on this one, we leave in a lawless society, the death penalty will help to eradicate violent crime in SA, it doesn't matter the color! Ons is gatvol!
— Phindile Mahlangu (@phindigp) September 14, 2018

I am totally against the death penalty. If we take a step back and look at the society where our children are born into, there is no wonder that some point in time some of these crimes are committed. And I think the justice system doesn't do us any favours for even petty crimes.
Max, Caller

The government can’t get providing healthcare or electricity right. Should we really entrust them with the power to kill people? Geez, I see so many problems arising from that.
— Rooinek (@Rooinek12) September 14, 2018

Death penalty has never deterred crime anywhere in the world. The sad reality is that crime and poverty are interlinked. Ours is also compounded by the glaring gap btwn the rich & the poor. When we grow our economy, create wealth and jobs, crime will be drastically reduced
— Mangwiro Nobert (@mangwiron) September 14, 2018

Listen to what other callers had to say...