Boost For Crime Prevention Welcomed

MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY:
MR VELAPHI NDLOVU MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON SAFETY AND SECURITY

October 26, 2006

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Spokesperson on Safety and Security, Mr Velaphi Ndlovu MP, today said that the IFP is very pleased with the extra money that has been set aside to expand and improve the criminal justice sector of South Africa.

"We would like to applaud Mr Trevor Manuel for setting aside a total of R67.2 billion for crime fighting purposes by 2009/2010, in his 'mini-budget' on Wednesday, " said Mr Ndlovu.

He continued: "The IFP has for many years been calling for more visible policing in our communities and on our streets, so, it is pleasing to hear that the South African Police Service will be able to recruit an additional 10 000 officers to help us fight the surge of crime.

"But on this point, we must call on the Minister of Safety and Security, Mr Charles Nqakula, to come up with a clear strategy as to when the new police officers will be brought into the Police Service and a timetable clearly indicating when the new police officers will start their training.

"Also, the IFP has consistently called for more people to be employed in our legal system to ease the backlog in courts, and we therefore commend the provisions that have been made for more people to be employed in the legal system.

"The 9.4 per cent increase in spending on justice, policing and prisons over the medium term is applauded, however we would like to reiterate that money is not the only way to solve the current crime crisis in our country. In spending this money, a lot of emphasis must be placed on all round capacity for crime fighting such as proper training and education for police officers," concluded Mr Ndlovu.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Velaphi Ndlovu MP: 083 625 0803
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470