Readers' views via SMS

WHAT on earth does a private individual need a machine gun for and how did he get a licence for it, if it is licensed?

PISTORIUS deserves to go to jail. Four shots? At normal body height? That's not a "warning", that's murderous intent, that is he fully intended to take a human life!

JAN H, for sure is Oscar Pistorius a hero. Let's wait and see what the courts find before we crucify him. God will do the judging.

NO, Ed Kirwan, it is not a crime to get the best legal aid money can buy, but it is a crime to kill another human being – whether he or she is an intruder or your girlfriend.

GUN-FREE South Africa? First get rid of illegal arms. Most of them are stolen from the police and army. Across all our borders illegal weapons can be bought. Now why target the legal, law abiding citizens?

I AM 80kg, a kitchen knife in my hands would make me just a lethal as using a gun. So why ban guns, Mr Williams?

ROLAND Williams, as much as you are against legal gun ownership so am I against illegal gantries you passed. Legal gun owners are not all stupid and irresponsible.

MJ PHILLIPS, thank you for your logical and sensible letter regarding the problems at the AWS. It is forgotten that these poor animals were put there by the people of Port Elizabeth and the AWS has to cope on welfare.

I HAVE a blond wig if suitable for Nat F.

M USHER, regarding home affairs, consider yourself extremely lucky! My husband applied for a relative permit in January last year. First the forms didn't reach Johannesburg, second forms didn't reach Johannesburg either! It was done in Cape Town. Nearly 15 months down the line we have just been told this! I will go to see Irma too!

SUPPORTING Disillusioned on the comment that one should speak out in churches for what's right – well said. I couldn't agree more. My family is suffering from stress and sleepless nights because of these fights in the church and no intervention from the superiors.

AYE Captain! Here is to The Lord Nelson crew members' adventure on the high seas for all!

AN illegal dwelling in Seventh Avenue, Summerstrand has created a precedent as many such dwellings are springing up all over this suburb, mainly to house students. Owners know they will get away it and if the going gets a bit tough, they have always the race card and "apartheid legislation" they can play.

PROOF the law means nothing anymore: guest houses and residents flout the law in Summerstrand and now it becomes a racial issue. Far too many businesses are creeping into the suburbs. Where do you draw the line now?

RACISM storm over PE house: how can they play the race card again? Marais Ellis is white and also faces the same court order to break down his guesthouse! People must think before playing the race card!

SO a R1.1-million awards ceremony is held to honour the best mayor – why? Unqualified audit reports and well run municipalities are the expected outcome for citizens and not the exception.

NMBM, please clear the cycle track at Pollok Beach. Sand has been building up over months.

I DON'T understand how the comrade who was acquitted of rape because he was a leader of the African National Criminal organisation can now be believed when he wants to condemn the rape-murder of the very people he is charged with protecting.

IT'S time Nelson Mandela, FW de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki took a stand against gender violence. It has to go now.

CRACK down on rapists: one Wednesday after 4pm I went to Dora Nginza Hospital with a friend. While I was sitting in a parking bay for not even 10 minutes, police arrived with victims not even older than 12. Start at the victim support centre, you will get the totals from doctors working daily with victims.

ANENE rapists: reinstate the death penalty and implement within one week if found guilty.

RHINO horn trader Riaan Ross: wonder if he is related to the perlemoen kingpin, Jason Ross. May mother nature take revenge on both of you regardless.

DRUG abuse in the Bay: bring back Pagad to deal with drug lords.

IT makes me mad when motorbikes come alongside me at traffic lights, specially when I am going to turn!

COULD they please mothball those 2010 World Cup buses again! It's disgusting how many of them operate almost empty on the beachfront route every morning. What a waste of our ratepayers' money.