FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe’s calls to have rapists beheaded have generated heated debate on social media platforms with some people saying capital punishment should not be allowed in a modern democracy.
Senior Reporter
Addressing guests at the World Blood Donor Day commemorations in Chinhoyi on Saturday, Mugabe said rapists should be beheaded because they caused permanent trauma in their victims.
In a response posted on NewsDay’s Facebook account, Nokuthula Banda said beheading convicts was a thing of the dark ages.
“That is just stupid. We no longer live in the dark ages. What if someone is falsely accused and falsely sentenced then that is an innocent life lost? I am sure a jail sentence is punishment enough.”
Takaindisa Chivasa concurred saying: “And if a person is wrongfully accused and convicted? How do I get my life back?”
Another reader, who only identified himself as James, added: “God giveth life and He takes it as well, so no man has a right to take life.”
On the other hand, there were those who said capital punishment was the only effective deterrent against rape.
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Noel Nkomo challenged those against the death sentence saying: “Wait until you are raped and say it again.”
Another NewsDay reader, Addington John, said: “Don’t worry, you will understand when it happens to your own daughter then you can tell us how you want the rapist to be judged?”
There were others, however, who said while the death sentence could be harsh, they would rather have castration as an alternative for rapists.
John Mashambe said: “Kill the [culprits]! For the first time, I agree with her [Grace Mugabe]. Women are human beings and deserve to be treated as such. Maybe if capital punishment is too much, let’s opt for cutting off the male organ.”
