The IFP is shocked and dismayed to learn of the murder of Cape Town Magistrate, Mr Pieter Theron.

IFP Safety & Security Spokesperson, Velaphi Ndlovu MP, said:

"Our hearts go out to Mr Theron's family in their grief and we express our deepest condolences to them.

"The IFP is increasingly concerned by the failure of the authorities to come to grips with the security situation in the Western Cape. Safety & Security Minister, Steve Tshwete, and his provincial counterpart, Hennie Bester, must take a long hard look at the current security measures in the Province, which are clearly failing to provide safety and security to the people of the Cape."

"There is a real danger that we are moving toward Mafia style criminality, where anybody who seeks to uphold the law is simply eliminated. This cannot be tolerated."

"The two ministers must put in place immediate measures to provide protection to the judiciary to ensure that they can continue to uphold the law without fear or favour."

"In addition the whole operation of the security forces in the Western Cape must be reviewed and the necessary reforms and redeployments must be made to ensure that our security forces can become operationally effective in the Province."

"The failure to secure any convictions for the nineteen bombs which have exploded in the Cape in the past two years and this most recent and callous murder of a judicial officer, are creating an impression that criminals can act with impunity in the Western Cape. Such a situation cannot be allowed to continue one day longer."

"Ensuring the protection of its citizens is the first duty of government. If Ministers Tshwete and Bester are unable or unwilling to take the necessary steps to discharge that duty then they must step aside for those who will."