Give me tough action over tough words any day!
So the ruling party elite are going to get tough on crime. That’s the message we’re getting from the new incumbents to some of the country’s most powerful positions. The placeholder president, the minister for safety and security, the incoming premier of
Public enemy number one
What are the top dogs saying? Newly elected Gauteng premier, Paul Mashatile singled out crime as “the number one enemy” during his first address to the provincial legislature on Tuesday, 3 October. And he talked up a storm: “In the coming months, we will strengthen our crime prevention efforts by building a strong movement against crime in partnership with our people and civil society organisations.” Why does the premier need to build a strong movement against crime? The structures are mostly in place and simply need pro-active leadership to get them up to speed. What should concern taxpayers is that Mashatile has scant regard for their money.
Prior to heading up the most powerful provincial economy in Africa his claim to fame is spending approximately R250 000 on restaurant bills over a five month period starting February 2006. On one occasion he dropped R96 000 (for approximately 200 guests) at the posh Auberge Michel restaurant in Sandton. This legacy prompted Democratic Alliance (DA) member, Jack Bloom to offer the following advice at Mashatile’s inauguration: “enjoy good food and drink, but at your own expense. Don’t dodge corruption and inefficiency, appoint independent inquiries and hold people accountable. Remember that we are servants to the public, not the other way round.”
Quick steps to restore public confidence
There was plenty of advice for new safety and security minister Nathi Mthethwa. The official opposition quickly pointed out that the first step to fix the policing crisis would be to fire disgraced national police commissioner Jackie Selebi and open the way for a new commissioner with extensive knowledge of policing and law enforcement. FAnews Online was dumbfounded when ex-President Thabo Mbeki extended Selebi’s contract despite the controversy hanging over the man.
DA spokesperson Diane Kohler Barnard suggests that “Mthethwa reinstate the specialised units, which include the narcotics bureau and the family violence, child abuse and sexual offences units and agree to retain the Scorpions in its current form.” The Scorpions request is a pipe-dream; but we certainly hope the various specialised units that have been dismantled over time are rebuilt and even strengthened. There’s no doubt that certain types of crime require specialist intervention. Mthethwa gets a big ‘thumbs up’ for diverging from the views his predecessor. “It is not right to deny that crime exists. People who complain about crime are not mad. Crime affects everybody across the racial divide,” he said.
Jacob Zuma has weighed in with comments of his own, saying that society “considers criminals in a democratic way and our laws at times are user friendly.” He used words like soft and nice to describe treatment of criminals. These words could also describe the treatment his ex-financial adviser Shabir Shaik is receiving during his 15-year prison term. Given Zuma’s long-running stand off with South Africa’s judicial system he might not be the best person to drive the country’s crime-fighting regeneration. But he gets credit for calling for more visible policing.
Getting tough on crime is as good as buying votes
You’d be excused for thinking the ANC has issued an anti-crime directive. They’re certainly in tune with public opinion at the moment. When the electorate is up in arms for any number of reasons the quickest way to placate them is to offer them what they want. And the majority in this country wants to go about their business without the ever-present threat of crime. They want to be able to go to work without worrying whether their family is safe. They want to come home late at night without getting mugged on the walk from the taxi rank to the house. If you want money – get on the gravy train. If you need votes – the crime train will get you much further.
The ANC is talking tough on crime because they know it’s the number one issue on everyone’s minds. If they get tough on crime even the so-called ‘white whingers’ will put a lid on it… And that’s going to make their job in the run up to the next election much easier. Will these politicians be able to back up their words with actions? We certainly hope so; but until they do, we’ll treat these promises with the scant attention they deserve.
Editor’s thoughts:
Although the official crime statistics show a decline in recent years the feeling from the ground is that things are as bad as ever. No-one can deny that South Africa is on the brink of total lawlessness – with every citizen choosing the laws that they will abide by. Do you think the new ANC guard will take decisive action to address the crime issue? Add your comments below, or send them to gareth@fanews.co.za
