The National Freedom Party (NFP) sent their sincere condolences on Tuesday to the family, friends, fellow students of the  Rhodes University student, Khensani Maseko, who committed suicide after being raped, and called for the death penalty for those convicted of rape and murder.

Maseko was allegedly raped by her then boyfriend in May, and died at her family home in Johannesburg on Friday afternoon in an apparent suicide.  

“NFP is deeply concern and against the ongoing rape culture in South Africa, Khensani Maseko's death has proved again that many more women are dying in silent. As this month is supposedly woman’s month, losing a young intellectual like her is a huge loss,” NFP spokesperson Sabelo Sigudu said in a statement.

“NFP calls for a death penalty on all those who are convicted of rape and murder. We believe as a party that this is the best way to deal with perpetrators and to fix our country going forward.”

South Africans and fellow students have continued to send their condolences to Maseko's family and friends via social media.

“The government must not be lenience with people who continue to degrade and shame the country, The time has come for the government to stop turning a blind eye to the call for death penalty on those who rape and kill women.”

The NFP challenged the African National Congress-led government to open a debate in parliament on bringing back the death penalty if the African National Congress (ANC)  government was serious about protecting women.

“This is yet another evidence that the government has failed women of South Africa. We urge women in this country to report incidents of rape and abuse. Never tolerate any form of abuse.”