By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
The reintroduction of corporal punishment at schools as well as the death penalty need to be seriously considered if the spiralling criminal violence in the country is to be curbed.
This was said yesterday by the chairman of the Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu), Khomas Branch, Paul Sauerwein, at a media conference on the present violence in schools and in society.
“At the rate crime is rapidly taking over the society, the reintroduction of the death penalty as well as corporal punishment should be considered because right now, it seems life is cheap and worthless within a seemingly lawless society, engulfed by violence. These measures will probably be the only ones to stop the spiralling violence,” Sauerwein said.
The Namibian constitution forbids both corporal punishment and the death penalty and no amendment can be made on the constitution with regard to the clauses that entrench these fundamental human rights.
Speaking at the same occasion, the regional union organiser, John Khamuseb, called for a national prayer day and rededication to the norms and values of the society.
“It is important to try and restore the position, status and roles of teachers and the Namibian Police in order for us to help restore the dignity of the society we live in. Nantu will play its role in such efforts in which a lot of soul-searching needs to be done. We live in a society in which crime is a dangerous spill-over into the school system,” Khamuseb said.
He charged that some Namibians were harbouring the perpetrators of violent crimes in their own homes.
“Nantu in the Khomas Region, in the strongest terms, condemns the recent incident of violence in society regarding the death of a Cosmos Secondary School learner and the senseless killing of Sanna //Garo??????’??