An act of intolerance
Dear Sir,
Your viewpoint “Murder spurs calls for Brexit campaigners to drop fear projects” (Gulf Times, June 18) highlighted the aftereffects of the killing of British MP Jo Cox on the referendum scheduled to be held on June 23.
Cox’s murder has horrified the British people, irrespective of the fact that whether they want the country to remain in the European Union or not.
After Cox’s death, the campaign for the referendum has slowed down.
Given that just days  are left for the referendum, the campaign has lost its vigour, it seems.  The man accused of shooting and stabbing Cox to death in a brutal street attack ranted against “traitors” during a brief court appearance. “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain,” 52-year-old Thomas Mair said when asked to give his name in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
According to press reports, Mair seemed to be mentally unstable. But his act is seen as an act of intolerance. Mair, who wanted Britain to leave the EU, resorted to do away with the MP who strongly supported the UK’s continuance with the EU.
Because of his heinous act, Britain lost a young member of parliament who was highly talented.

C Robinson
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A tragedy of epic proportions
Dear Sir,
Oscar Pistorius will know his fate on July 6. There are fewer commonly cited legal maxims than one expressed by  the Lord Chief Justice of England, Gordon Hewitt, in 1924, when he said: “It is not merely of some importance, but of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should be manifestly and undoubtedly seen to be done.”
Implicit in this aphorism is the public’s consent of justice served, reflecting a sense of fairness, honesty, equality, equity and consistency before the law.
The trials of Pistorius and O J Simpson have riveted the world.
Pistorius’ trial enthralled the world. As millions of people binge-watched their way through the mesmerising trial, and having to witness six gruesome pictures of the body of Reeva Steenkamp, many were coming up with their own conspiracy theories and opinions as to “why he did it”.
A Shakespearean tragedy of epic proportions has run its course, but now it’s time for South Africans to move on.
The legacy of Oscar Pistorius has been totally destroyed.
History will remember him as he catapulted from superman to gunman.

Farouk Araie
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