In September, many people sent letters from all corners...

In September, many people sent letters from all corners of the globe urging Robert Mugabe to use his presidential powers to reverse the death sentence imposed on Sukoluhle Kachipare, with most writers calling on the Government to abolish the death penalty. Although the Supreme Court dismissed Kachipare's appeal against the death penalty in September 1998, Kachipare herself was only informed about her fate in August 1999. She was convicted in March 1997 for allegedly inciting her maid Masline Chibwara, to murder the latter's newly-born baby. Once the courts have sentenced a person to death, the execution can only take place after President Mugabe has given the green light.Chairman of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Kevin Laue, said although he was an abolitionist, his organization did not yet have a firm position on the death penalty.Mike Auret, former director of the CCJP, said the Commission had always been, in principle, against the death penalty. "Hanging, itself, is the most cruel way of killing a person and governments should find ways of dealing with this problem. It would be better if government utilized the resources that people have instead of hanging that person. That way government would gain. You don't gain by killing a person," said Auret, adding that Catholic teaching was against all forms of killing.