Inkatha Freedom Party Statement By:
Mrs Sybil Seaton MP
IFP Acting Chief Whip

24th July, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party believes that serious questions must be asked about the effectiveness of government's crime combating operations in light of tourists and well-known SA residents having been violently attacked recently, while the Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, himself warned that crime is deterring possible visitors to our shores.

In fact, Mr van Schalkwyk said that he fears that SA may fall short of its target of 10 million tourist arrivals by 2010, unless government intensifies its war against crime.

But to the IFP and most South Africans it seems that there is no war against crime at all, and if there is, it lacks ammunition.

Last week, five groups of tourists were followed from the Oliver Tambo airport and robbed outside their hotels.

Last night, the same fate befell South Africa's UN ambassador in New York, Dumisani Kumalo, who became a crime victim AGAIN as robbers followed him to his grandson's birthday party, where guests where ambushed, robbed and one man shot.

Mr Kumalo rightly commented in the newspapers today: "It's frightening and is beginning to scare me. This is our home and we will always come back. But if they hit tourists will they come back? We (diplomats) always encourage people to come and visit, but this is counter-productive."

The attack on his family is the latest in a string of violent attacks on high-profile Joburg residents, who include Tokyo Sexwale's wife Judy.

Police and government boldly stated, following the release of the latest crime stats, that they have a plan in place for 2010 and that we can sleep safely because everyone will be safe and sound during the 2010 World Cup.

But what about right now? What protection do we offer our tourists now? Are there any plans in place to protect them and ordinary South Africans as they travel from our country's airports?

It once again seems that government is all talk and no action where it comes to their crime combating grand plans.

The Inkatha Freedom Party believes the time has come for a national crime indaba with police, private security companies, government and all other important stakeholders. The aim of such a conference must be to reassure and update all South Africans on provincial strategies, programmes and crime action plans regarding preparation for the World Cup and other general campaigns aimed at tackling crime in South Africa.



FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mrs Sybil Seaton: 083 412 0075
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470