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A South African woman has been executed in China for smuggling drugs into that country, eNews reported on Monday.
Janice Bronwyn Linden, 35, was executed by lethal injection.
Linden, 35, from KwaZulu Natal, was caught in the Chinese city of Guangzhou carrying 3kg of crystal methamphetamine in November 2008.
According to reports, Linden would only have been told of her execution this morning as is the practice of the Chinese government.
Two of Linden's sisters were in China and were to be have been allowed an hour with her before she was put to death. Linden did not have children.
On Sunday, the DA called on President Jacob Zuma to make a last-minute attempt to save Linden’s life.
“We call on President Zuma to make a last-ditch attempt to have her sentence commuted. Our government cannot stand idly by while one of our citizens is executed on foreign shores,” said DA MP Stevens Mokgalapa.
He said that although South African authorities had tried to intervene it was “clear that whatever our diplomats have done, it has not been enough to save Ms Linden's life”.
“Our President must do the right thing and speak out before it's too late,” he said.
According to The Mercury newspaper, the International Relations and Cooperation Department said it had appealed to Chinese authorities to have Linden’s sentence commuted to life imprisonment, or the equivalent thereof in Chinese law, when she was sentenced in 2009.
Spokesman Clayson Monyela said the department had provided consular support to the family, the report said.
“We have been very involved in the matter. We have been writing to the Chinese authorities, appealing to them to commute the sentence since we do not subscribe to the death penalty and she is a South African citizen.”
He added that International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had also appealed to the Chinese delegation attending the UN climate talks in Durban for help regarding Linden’s case, but to no avail, The Mercury reported.
“All the necessary interventions were made by the department and even by the minister. On several occasions the minister engaged with her Chinese counterpart, even on the sidelines of COP17.
“Our diplomatic interventions have been ongoing and we will continue to appeal to the Chinese authorities, even though they have decided to go ahead with it (the execution).” - Sapa, IOL
Riana, wrote
Just goes to show. The presidency did not want to grand the Dali Lama a visum due to their dealings with China. And this is how China thanks us. Do you realy think that Jacob Zuma would have done anything to try and save her life - NO WAY.
marna, wrote
Nonsense how could she not know whats in her laguage. I was oversees and their is no way she could be framed. I think she has done this before for money. Everybody knows these drugs are smuggled for money. I do feel very sorry for her family. This is terrible. But people have to open their eyes.
Godfrey, wrote
yoleez,yoleez, You obviously know nothing about God and the Bible. First of all God does not create people that are murderers, Drug pushes. He condemns them 237 times in the bible. These people who follow the devils way will never see the kingdom of heaven and will suffer in eternity. Because they are destroying the youth she deserves a worse punishment that a quick death. She should be made to suffer as drug users suffer from overdose. Her death was a blessing but far to quick. Unfortunately the people in S.A have not learnt yet.
Godfrey, wrote
I am so happy she was executed .I hope S.A people learn. They should dig her body up and put it on display to show S.A they have no telerance.
Shameless, wrote
@Nyaluoa - I don't see why people bring God into this equation where if they really understand what the bible says about this matter they would have a clearer understanding. Such as 'Obey your leaders, they were put there by God' suddenly sounds so horrific! Because if thats the case then carrybring in drugs to a country that warns you of the death penalty if you do so would require you to obey their laws and not to do it. Thst goverment was put into power by God for his purpose! See how this goes back to lawlessness of the last days. See how its been increasing. People have become lovers of themself and money. God says he will deal with those that disobey, and let it be so. Who are we to question the All Mighty? Seriously don't bring religion into this if you do not fully grasp the context with which you are going to make you statement in!
Anonymous, wrote
The Chinese Communist Party is the single biggest funder of the ANC. There is no way that the ANC , with its well-proven lack of moral fibre, is going to offend its paymaster.
@Tlou Mbomba, wrote
Don't worry, you hating the Chinese government doesn't bother them one bit as I'm sure many people worldwide do. But make sure not to make it an umbrella statement that covers ALL Chinese as there are plenty of good people out there. It would be bad to say ALL Saffas are criminals and are hated.
LSM, wrote
President Zuma is slowly allowing his foreign "friends" to control South Africans inside and outside the country. We have dozens of Chines caught red handed smuggling drugs, rhino horns, fake products in both on our shores and inland? How many Nigerians and who have been caught with a concrete evidence to prosetute them? Instead of letting them stink for ever in our jails, our Law lets thems walk around our streets, and unlawfully making money. Our government is a fake when it comes to combating crime.
Hoosain.jacobs, wrote
She is dead now.Drug users are suffering the effect of drugs. They bring endless misery to the families of druggies,the consequence of the pedlar who I hope is at rest.Let this be a warning to drug pedlars......
Anonymous, wrote
Did this woman know what the penalty for the crime was when she did this? Drugs is killing our children, she was lucky she did not feel a thing when she died.
Anonymous, wrote
The South Africans really failed her! How did she get OUT of South Africa with 3kg! of Methamphetamine? Why didn't the security at OR Tambo pick up on her 'stash'? So sad...
yoleez, wrote
This is quite shocking! Killing God's creation.. Deepest sympathy to her family, may her soul rest in peace.
Tlou mbomba, wrote
Even if she is guilty how can you kill someone for drugs. To the linden family stay strong God loves you and to chinese goverment i am sorry to say these but i hate you all to south african goverment you are useless just incompetent
L.VAN NIEKERK, wrote
I FEEL REALLY DISAPPOINTED ON HOW THING TEARNED OUT.MY DEEPEST SYMPHATHY GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED.
Anonymous, wrote
Whats with the african leaders! it is disgusting how they worship china , they allow them to execute our own yet there they living on this continent committing crimes as rhino poarching .we should execute those dog eaters too.
Anonymous, wrote
She was guilty of a serious crime but I never expected the gov. to do anything much to get her sentence commuted because they are in bed with China.
Anonymous, wrote
Still waiting to hear of the pay off & what has happened to those caught in camera with Rhino horn???? Death sentence for the so called 'law enforcement & culprits'??
Mostafa, wrote
The International Relations and Co-operation Department is ABSOLUTELY useless throughout the world. Consular services? what nonesense. Here in Dubai they live like Kings and have the lowest levels intelligence which is the requirement for the job.
tlhogi, wrote
what a hurtin story,i dnt condone crime,but realy this touched me a lot,sorry to linden family!
Axel, wrote
When in China do as the Chinese do.
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