Using misdirection to make problems disappear

Seven days have passed since the last edition of Stokes' Stage. In this time, little has changed where the governments take on crime is concerned. In fact, government's latest contribution to the crime debate is typical of their response to a number o

Government uses misdirection to shift our focus from the problem at hand in the hope we are shaken from our purpose.

The crime problem is a perfect example

Seven days have passed since the last edition of Stokes' Stage. In this time, little has changed where the government's take on crime is concerned.

Consider the crime issue. There is not doubt that South Africa has a serious problem with violent crime. People are becoming more and more adamant that government addresses this issue and make it a top priority.

It seemed that government was on the verge of acknowledging the problem when Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota took to the stage.

The latest attempt at misdirection comes from Lekota, who adds another misnomer to a worrying litany of statements from senior Ministers. First Safety and Security Minister, Charles Nqakula labelled people complaining about crime as whingers, and now Lekota is in on the act, suggesting anyone who left the country in the last ten years did so because they could not face a South Africa under black rule.

Lekota's statements were made in response to a letter from Di Rathbone, which Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon read in parliament recently. Rathbone left South Africa for Australia and contends that crime was one of the major factors influencing her decision. Lekota's response: "Why shouldn't I or anybody else wonder: Is she really leaving because of crime, or is she leaving because maybe she is trying to continue to enjoy a status in which she is better than other sections of the population?"

Classic misdirection!

Why throw the race issue into the mix? Race has nothing to do with the fact there is violent crime in South Africa. It does not matter who reports the crime or who falls victim to it, nor does it matter who reminds government about the impact of crime... What matters is that South Africa's constitution is there to protect individual rights, and that means protection from crime too.

The solution is to keep things simple

It is time to stop viewing serious political and social problems along racial lines. Doing this simply throws unnecessary and emotive arguments into the mix.

Imagine if a section of the M1 motorway disappeared in a sinkhole. This would present a major problem as motorists would be unable to make their way to work along one of the countries major routes.

Would you regard someone who reported this sinkhole as a racist? The problem exists regardless of who reports it - or who complains about it.

The only response necessary is to fix the problem. Forget denial, forget misdirection and take the appropriate action to solve the problem. In the case of a massive sinkhole, you're going to call a construction company.

To solve crime, you're going to need a comprehensive strategy involving a range of government departments with a unified vision. You need to increase the number of visible law enforcement officers and make sure these officers are competent and well equipped to do the job.

You need to be seen to be tough on crime - and make sure the justice system issues sentences in line with this stance.

Editor's thoughts:
Were glad to see that President Thabo Mbeki has subsequently re-iterated government's commitment to tackling crime.