"Swazis believe in justice and letting the punishment...

"Swazis believe in justice and letting the punishment fit the crime," said Justice Minister Maweni Simelane. "The five prisoners condemned to death recently were found guilty of the heinous murder of a pastor and his wife because they suspected them of engaging in witchcraft. The death penalties deter others from contemplating such acts." Fikile Mthembu, an attorney, said there was a question in some people's minds whether the government was serious about executions, or was holding onto the death penalty as a threat to potential criminals. He said, "in the government's advertisement for a hangman, it said the applicant must be 'well versed in the classics. This is nonsensical, and it was ridiculed in the international press. But the requirement may have been some kind of code that showed officials don't really intend to find an executioner." Sergeant Joseph Mahlindza, a spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, said that of the 34 people put to death in Swaziland since the nation's independence in 1968, all were convicted murderers. Political columnist Ackel Zwane said that the "Government wants to portray Swaziland as a progressive state to attract foreign investment. Swaziland already is faced with condemnations from human rights groups over political oppression, and doesn't wish to draw more adverse publicity from executions."