On April 24, New National Party leader Marthinus van...

On April 24, New National Party leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk challenged Deputy President Thabo Mbeki to publicly debate the issue of the death penalty during their joint television appearance preceding the June 2 elections. Van Schalkwyk said the ANC's argument against the return of the noose was based on the party's concern for the rights of murderers and rapists, and was widely perceived to be soft on violent criminals. His party, on the other hand, favored the reinstatement of the death penalty out of concern for the rights of murder and rape victims. "The death penalty in this country was abolished by the Constitutional Court, which was appointed by the ANC Government who are well known for being opposed to capital punishment, while we are in favor of its immediate reinstatement," Van Schalkwyk said.