Jody Kollapen, commissioner of the South African Human...

Jody Kollapen, commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, said that calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty were futile from a legal and political point of view, nor was such a penalty a proven solution to crime.Robert McBride, head of operation services in the Department of Foreign Affairs on the lack of the South African government's involvement in the Marieta Bosch's case, said: "South African prisoners held in other countries are provided for by the consulate services and this is the only service we offer." Lawyers for Human Rights national director Dr Vinodh Jaichand said that Lawyers for Human Rights has always taken the stance that abolition of the death penalty is in keeping with both the international norms and a necessary requirement for our criminal justice system with regard to punishment". Jaichand says the government should not be prescriptive of neighbouring countries' criminal justice systems, but adds that countries like Botswana should consider the emerging international norm on the anti-death penalty issue.Shirley Mabusela, Human Rights Commission deputy chair, agred: "I would imagine South Africa could encourage other countries to review their position on the death penalty despite the importance of its relationships at diplomatic level."