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Cosatu supports calls for Pagad clemency

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Cosatu in the Western Cape has given its support to anti drug group Pagad and its calls for clemency for its members in prison. The calls were made at an anti crime meeting hosted by Pagad at Portlands Sports Centre in Mitchell’s Plain on Sunday.

The meeting was part of a process towards launching a united front against the scourge of crime, drugs and gangsterism in the Western Cape. Currently, Pagad has nine members in prison serving lengthy sentences for murder.

“We are supporting the call for clemency for them. They have served in excess of 14 years now and we believe that they should be given clemency because their crimes were not in pursuit of their own personal interest but in the interest of the community,” Ehrenreich said.

Pagad sent a letter of appeal to President Jacob Zuma, the Minister of Correctional Services and Judge Seraj Desai earlier this year. This petition was resent two weeks ago in an application in terms of Section 325 of the Criminal Procedure Act which urged President Jacob Zuma to exercise his “prerogative of mercy” for the nine Pagad members.

The offenders are: Antes Adams, Mansoer Legget, Moegammad Isaacs, Ebrahim Jeneker, Abdullah Maansdorp, Faadiel Orrie, Faizel Samsodien and Yusuf Abader. Some of them are serving multiple life sentences at prisons across the Western Cape.

“As Cosatu we believe that there should be clemency consideration by the President for these Pagad members. There are many drug lords and gangsters that have received and receive lesser court sentences for similar levels of crime,” said Ehrenreich.

“Cosatu will petition for the clemency to be considered as a matter of urgency as well as add our voices in support of the applications from Pagad and other organizations that are appealing for clemency.”

The meeting aimed to bring a number of political, religious and sports organisations together to work towards a joint solution on crime. Ehrenreich said Cosatu would commit to the anti crime coalition, but that it should work together with state institutions. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)


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