Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille on Wednesday criticised her Democratic Alliance counterpart Tony Leon for his support of the death penalty for certain crimes, saying she was "outraged".
Leon's statements on the issue last week confirmed that he and the DA "are prepared to conveniently ignore their fundamental principles in order to attract voters", she said in a statement.
"How can a true liberal ever support the death penalty?" De Lille asked.
"It is also immoral to campaign on this issue as they are lying to the South African public, knowing full well they can never bring back the death penalty."
South Africa was in urgent need of principled political leaders and parties who "will not lie" to the South African public. No party could promise to bring back the death penalty, as it had been ruled unconstitutional.
A two-thirds majority was needed in parliament to change the Constitution, and none of the opposition parties "can ever hope to achieve that", De Lille said. - Sapa