THERE has been mixed public reactions to whether University of Western Cape professor Sean Davison, who is facing trial in New Zealand for the assisted suicide of his mother, had committed an act of mercy or murder.

Davison is adamant that if he committed a crime it was one of passion.

"If I'm perceived to have committed a crime, it would be a crime of passion. I have made many mistakes in my life, I have many people that I need to apologise to, but helping my mother end her (suffering) was not one of those mistakes," Davison is reported to have said.

Sowetan canvassed people's opinions on this heated topic.

Mark Kisoon said: "I will not kill my own blood even if a member of my family asked me to do it. I let God decide. God gives life and God takes life. No doctor or man can decide on another person's life. If that happens, it must be considered as pure murder."

Welcome Phewa said: "I will not do it. Based on my spiritual side, I am not authorised to take the life of another person, even if I get permission from him."

Ally Saidi said: "I will not kill. It is just morally not right. I will not do it, even if I see my child or wife is suffering.

In that situation let God decide, not you deciding on the life of another person."

Patrick Witbooi said: "I will not kill. Davison should have let his mother die naturally."

Nosisi Phetho said: "I am a Christian, I won't do it. God knows when to release his people. It is not for us to decide."

Godfrey Ndiki said: "There are exceptions when a person is really hurt and there is no way he or she can live and is suffering dearly.

"In that situation, I think I could help a person to die if he asked me to. But I have to be convinced that he is suffering, to help him. I do not consider it as killing, but as a way of ending suffering and allowing a person to be free from the horrific pains of this world."