Pubdate: Mon, 02 Feb 2004
Source: Business Day (South Africa)
Copyright: 2004 Business Day.
Contact:  http://www.bday.co.za/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2925

ZERO TOLERANCE, CRIME-FIGHTING STRATEGY

Johannesburg - THE UDM has spelled out a strategy for a full-frontal 
assault on crime, revealed this weekend in its 2004 election manifesto.

The party says the mushrooming of security companies and the increase in 
the number of vigilante groups "is a clear indication that the ANC 
government is losing the war against crime and that it has failed in one of 
its primary duties: to protect the life and property of its citizens".

The manifesto states that only 6% of crimes reported result in court 
convictions. And it contends that crime statistics are tampered with and 
potential lifesaving information about the incidence of crime is withheld 
from the public.

In addition, the UDM charges, "the linked problems of gangsterism and drugs 
have been completely neglected". And it says its call in 1999 to appoint 
42000 new constables for visible policing was ignored.

Among key anticrime initiatives, the UDM says it will create a crime 
prevention ministry. It will operate as a crime-fighting forum where 
criminal justice ministers meet and ensure a high level of collaboration 
among their respective departments.

It will also set aside 0,5% of personal income tax for additional visible 
crime fighting.

There will a strong emphasis on ensuring that the criminal justice system 
fights organised crime, corruption and gangsterism, with special focus on 
highquality intelligence, investigation, prosecution, effective 
imprisonment and the seizure of the proceeds and assets acquired by criminals.

The crime prevention ministry will support and boost the work of the elite 
crime-fighting Scorpions unit. The strategy will incorporate a focus on 
fighting alcohol and drug abuse, involved in 80% of violent crime.

"Cutting off the illegal trade in drugs will rein in organised crime 
syndicates and gangs who use it as a major source of income as well as a 
means of influencing subordinates and communities," the manifesto says.

The UDM is also calling for the recruitment and training of a further 40000 
police officers over a three-year period. To achieve this, police colleges 
and defence force facilities that have been shut down or mothballed, will 
be made use of, the party says.

The UDM also pledges to hold a referendum on the reinstatement of the death 
penalty.

The UDM will prioritise the prevention of violent crime (murder, rape, 
assault, domestic violence and violence against children) and theft 
(especially armed robbery, hijacking, car theft and housebreaking). It also 
undertakes to implement social crime prevention programmes to address the 
root causes of crime.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom