The demands made by Gun-Free South Africa (GFSA) that a father be declared unfit to possess a firearm after employing it in defence of his family are concerning in the context of the violent society we live in. Gun Owners South Africa condemns these statements as an outrageous instance of victim-blaming that further fuels a climate of opinion that places South Africans at risk.
On 28 May 2018 Shailendra Sukhraj, a firearm owner, was hijacked by three attackers, who fled with his daughter, Sadia (8), still in the vehicle. A shootout ensued between Sukhraj and the hijackers, resulting in the death of Sadia. The hijacker Sibonelo Mkhize was found guilty of murder on 24 June 2019. GFSA, per its director Adele Kirsten, wishes for Sukhraj, too, to be charged with culpable homicide.
The court, however, did not find Sukhraj guilty of any offence. GFSA would do well to abide by the judgment not make the tragic death of an innocent child their grave to dance upon.
According to Gun Owners South Africa’s Gideon Joubert, “Sukhraj is not only the victim of a violent hijacking, but also of his daughter’s murder. That he is being held responsible for his daughter’s death by GFSA, as if it was his fault that they were targeted by these criminals, is a most heinous form of victim-blaming.”
South African common law recognises the right to private defence. Such defence must be proportional to the circumstances in question. A South African father seeing his 8-year-old daughter being kidnapped by three violent men acts perfectly within the bounds of law and reasonableness by doing everything in his power to resist such kidnapping. By asking government to disarm ordinary South Africans who seek, and unfortunately sometimes fail, to protect themselves and their loved ones, GFSA is putting a society beleaguered by violent crime at risk.
The context of South Africa’s law enforcement must be borne in mind. The South African Police Service (SAPS) admitted in October 2018 that it does not have the capacity to fulfil its constitutional mandate “to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property”, according to section 205 of the Constitution. Per police commissioner Khehla Sitole, the SAPS complained that it has come “impossible” for the police to do what is expected of them.
Without the SAPS, the only thing that can keep South Africans safe is themselves.
This is a Gun Owners SA press release.
No Name
•6 years ago
GFSA victimises the victims. Spineless scum. What could possibly be more despicable?
Robert
•6 years ago
There is a story that after John F. Kennedy was assasinated, LBJohnson took over, wanting the best protection asked then Marine Col Jeff Cooper to advise.
Col Jeff then gave him a Colt .45 pistol and said that the best man for the job is he ,LBJ, himself.
Peter
•6 years ago
In a country where crime is so high with many people killed each day, some for as little as a cell phone, we have one of the most radical and dangerous organisations, Gun Free South Africa promoting work place safety for criminals.
South African citizens have little choice for their personal safety and reliance on the police would be incredibly irresponsible and foolish. Thus when a desperate citizen who has jumped through the hoops of governments determination to disarm citizens making them defenceless victims, we have Gun Free South Africa demanding those who have had no choice but to use a firearm to defend their lives and that of their precious child should be charged and punished for murder. How crass and demented are the supporters and advocates of gun control that they are not only willing to see defenceless people die but also want to punish those who object to being helpless victims.
It’s a media release. Make it readable and INTERESTING. And if there is nothing in it for the public start again you have done it wrong and have the wrong objective or no objective at all.
What was the objective of this media release?
GOSA 10 out of 10 for making the effort that was great to see but please guys sit down and devise a strategy you can at least show by principle or example has some hope of winning support for firearm ownership. Hint: This cannot be done without public support and the public has no reason to support guns, sales, glorification of guns, gun safety, training, sports or anything the public has no appreciation or use for. Do you think you can get the other so far useless firearm organisation to at least try and protect the only reason they exist. The ability of citizens to own firearms.
Dry lawyer type academic media releases are not going to help anyone but GFSA. You do not have to defend in court a moral position and human right.
Koos Vorster
•6 years ago
How on earth can anyone be so very stupid to make a victim the culprit?
Brian
•6 years ago
Terrible tragedy. Who shot his daughter?
Alan ,Robert Thwaites
•6 years ago
GFSA are creating a flourishing market for the purchase of illegal weapons for desperate citizens who require a firearm for protection,The market for [buying guns on the street is massive]and very well and efficiently managed,,the customer and his money come first ,it is a business ,,, people are buying illegal weapons out of desperation,,a few businesses even have their own printed brochures as to what weapons are available ,,SAP and GFSA are in future ,creating an even bigger problem ,, nobody will be allowed a weapon ,, yet every citizen will be armed ,,,this is the nightmare the gun grabbers have created for South Africa ,