Life after Death Row: Post Traumatic Stress and the Story of Philip Takedi

Historically, South Africa has had one of the highest rates of judicial executions in the world. In February 1990, President F.W. de Klerk announced a moratorium on all executions, and three months later, the Death Penalty Act was passed. At present, there is a de facto moratorium on executions, although the death sentence continues to be passed. Philip Takedi is a former death row prisoner, whose sentence was overturned. His experience of having lived on death row has had profound effects which have prevailed long after his release. This article explores the long-term effects of being sentenced to death, incarcerated on death row, and then released. Takedi's particular experience and response are illustrative of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and they also highlight the effects of the conditions and experiences of death row.