WORLD : 2 Get Stays of Execution in S. Africa
A last-minute stay of execution was granted today to two of four prisoners due to hang at dawn Friday.
The independent Lawyers for Human Rights group said the Supreme Court had granted a temporary reprieve to two blacks, Alfred Ndela, 24, and Naftan Mchunu, 25, to allow them time to appeal for clemency to President Frederik W. de Klerk.
The group’s spokesman Selewe Mothle said: “These are the first executions under De Klerk’s government. It would do him a lot of good if he were to grant a reprieve to all of them.”
The four have been convicted in separate murder trials.
De Klerk has given clemency to 11 Death Row prisoners since being elected president last month, arousing expectations that he might limit the use of capital punishment.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
