The NPA seems not to believe in the adages "Let bygones be bygones" and "Let sleeping dogs lie". The decision to prosecute Adrian Vlok and Johann van der Merwe for apartheid crimes must be watched.

The NPA seems not to believe in the adages "Let bygones be bygones" and "Let sleeping dogs lie". The decision to prosecute Adrian Vlok and Johann van der Merwe for apartheid crimes must be watched.

It is fine if one is made to own up to one's actions and if that is the motive for Vlok's prosecution then all those in a similar position must also face the music. Prosecuting only the pair is not fair.

This issue also raises questions about punitive versus restorative justice and which is the best under what circumstances. The purpose of punitive justice is to punish. Restorative justice, whichI think best applies to Vlok, aims to unite the victim and perpetrator, and to find forgiveness. Vlok has apologised to Frank Chikane and showed the sincerity of his apology by washing the reverend's feet. Chikane accepted the apology. Why then must Vlok be punished further.

Dragging Vlok to court is like kicking an open door because he has admitted guilt and took steps to reconcile with those he offended. It makes no sense to drag him out of retirement into court when there are many waiting trialists who are worthy of harsh punishment.

Convicting Vlok and giving him a suspended sentence at his age is a futile exercise. The NPA should use the time and resources to sort out the backlog of waiting trialists.

Thulani Nkosi, Highlands North