Death penalty still upheld

The Swaziland government still retains the death penalty in its statutes, a situation that is out of step with its neighbours and in defiance of condemnation from human rights groups, a human rights activist told IRIN on Tuesday.

Swaziland, according to Joshua Mzizi of the Human Rights Association of Swaziland (HUMARAS), there are currently 12 prisoners on death row. “The main reason the government has not carried out these sentences is its fear of an international outcry and the implications,” Mzizi said. He said the last time hangings was carried out was in 1983 when a record of eight people were executed.

HUMARAS is concerned, however, that the Swazi judiciary still sentences people to death. “The death penalty is not a deterrent, and Swazis have never been polled, nor has a vote been taken about the desirability of the death penalty,” Mzizi said.

Swaziland has executed 34 convicted murderers since independence from Britain in 1968. Five men were condemned to hang early this year after being found guilty of murdering a pastor and his wife whom they accused of engaging in witchcraft. Another convicted murderer and rapist has been in death row for more than two years.

Mzizi said all death sentences must be signed by King Mswati III before they are carried out. The king has, however, not signed because the position of hangman has remained vacant for more than 10 years. Although more than 300 applicants - from the US, Europe and Australia - responded to an advertisement for a hangman, the position still remains vacant.