23 September 2009

"For years Popcru has been trying to legalise dagga, but we are yet to understand why," said IFP Spokesperson on Police, Velaphi Ndlovu. This follows yesterday's attempt by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union to push the agenda at COSATU's Congress.

In 2007, Popcru called for a review of laws against dagga (cannabis), saying it should be 'regulated'. The unanimously flawed reasoning ranged from the argument that white settlers had decided dagga use is wrong instead of the democratic majority, to 'people are doing to do it anyway'.

"Now Popcru has new arguments, but their reasoning remains poor," said Ndlovu. "Now they want to empower the people who produce it to contribute to South Africa's economy. And they want to free up the police to focus on more serious crime, thereby saving police resources."

"None of these arguments take into account the obvious drawbacks; that legalized dagga use will affect productivity (thereby harming our economy), increase road accidents and increase the incidence of child neglect. There are many more drawbacks that can be easily identified.  Why is Popcru still rooting around for a potential benefit?" asked Mr Ndlovu.

In the interests of a moral, just and prosperous society, the IFP is firmly against legalizing dagga.

Contact:
Velaphi Ndlovu,                      083 625 0803 or
Liezl van der Merwe,               083 611 7470.