Death Penalty for Monique’s Killers - Letter to the Editor

Rhoda Southgate MP – ACDP

Tuesday, 10 September 2002

The cold-blooded murder of Monique Valentine has had a devastating impact on our communities. Children with disabilities are recognised to be among the most vulnerable members of our society. South Africa has a population of over 43 million people of which approximately 17 million are children. Infant mortality rates are rising, the prevalence of crime against children is increasing and has become chronic.

South Africa has a wealth of policies designed to “put children first”, but the reality is that most children in South Africa still live in unacceptable conditions in which their rights to housing, food, education, healthcare, family care and protection are violated on a daily basis.

A statement in the Cape Argus, Friday 6 September 2002 reads, “wrong time, wrong place,” and yet the South African Constitution in the Bill of Rights guaranteed Monique; the right to life in Section 11; the right to freedom and security and freedom from all forms of violence in Section 12.1© and an environment that is not harmful to her health or well-being in Section 24 (a).

In Monique’s case each of the above rights has been violated. Her murderers violated the protection, which she was guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, and therefore government must take full responsibility.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (which South Africa has ratified) says that, “government must do all within its power to ensure that every child is able to survive and develop. Every child has the right to a standard of living that is adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.” The South African government has failed Monique Valentine.

The rights of the murderers and criminals are more protected than those of law-abiding citizens. Community Safety Minister, Mr Ramatlakane said, “more must be done to protect our children and curb crime.” What more can be done? We have been at this point time and time again and more talk has proven fruitless. It is now time to act.

There must be a policy change so that criminals who commit crimes against the most vulnerable and defenceless in society will know that government means business. The death penalty must be reintroduced. Criminals have become so arrogant and brazen in the crimes they commit that life has become meaningless. They kill with the full knowledge that the criminal justice system support and protect “their rights”.

No doubt these murderers will be apprehended and rest assured, they are probably repeat offenders who have done time for other criminal offences. They will go through the same process and will once again be treated as hosts in our 5 star prisons with a roof over their head, a warm bed with blankets, clean clothes, breakfast, lunch and supper and do not forget the entertainment, all at the expense of the law abiding taxpayers! They will probably serve 2 to 3 years and will either get parole or at the whim of the government, get a Presidential Pardon.


Rhoda Southgate MP
African Christian Democratic Party