Speaking at a memorial and prayer gathering in Alberton, ANCWL leadership stated that the national crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) requires confronting long-standing legal limits on sentencing.
UNPACKING THE DYNAMICS: FEMICIDE CRISIS & LEGAL HURDLES
The proposal brings crucial constitutional, political, and investigative factors into sharp relief:
Ekurhuleni Serial Murders: The bodies of 12 women were discovered across various locations in Ekurhuleni, prompting widespread public outrage and police investigations.
Referendum Proposal: The ANCWL is exploring consultations with legal experts to examine whether a public referendum could be held on reinstating capital punishment.
Constitutional Barrier: Capital punishment was outlawed in 1995 (S v Makwanyane) under Section 11 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
Demand for Swift Justice: Community leaders argue that current judicial deterrence mechanisms are failing to protect women from violent criminal syndicates and predators.
KEY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE: EKURHULENI FEMICIDE RESPONSE
Primary figures connected to the recent developments in Gauteng:12 Victims: Women tragically discovered murdered across Ekurhuleni.
1995: The year South Africa’s Constitutional Court officially abolished the death penalty.1 Referendum: Proposed legal mechanism being discussed by the ANCWL to gauge public opinion.
Could a public debate or referendum on capital punishment lead to actual constitutional reform in South Africa?
What concrete police interventions are necessary to ensure immediate safety for women in Gauteng townships?
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