Crime figures still a cause for concern

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
MR KOOS VAN DER MERWE MP
IFP CHIEF WHIP


September 27, 2006

The Inkatha Freedom Party's (IFP) Chief Whip Mr Koos Van der Merwe said that the latest crime statistics released by the South African Police Services today are a great cause for concern, especially the 74.1% rise in cash-in-transit heists as well as the increase in car-hijackings.

"The IFP once again calls on government to make South Africa a safer place in which to live, work and do business in, especially with the 2010 World Cup looming," said Mr Van der Merwe.

He continued: "Crime is one of the key problems affecting all South Africans and it has also been blamed in a recent report for almost a fifth of white South Africans emigrating in the past 10 years.

"Shocking crimes such as aggravated robbery, hijackings, rape and murder are crippling South Africans from all walks of life and are still at an unacceptably high level. We also need crime stats to be released at quarterly intervals and not just once a year. This is of importance so that police can react swiftly to increases in crime in certain areas and secondly so that communities can be more vigilant when crimes increase in their neighbourhoods.

"Though these figures released today show a slight decrease in murder, rape, indecent assaults and burglary the IFP feels disappointed that STILL not enough is being done to give South Africans a right to live life free of fear," concluded the IFP's Spokesperson on Justice.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT;
Mr Koos van der Merwe MP: 082 444 4944
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470