The South African government supports a mixed economy that combines an element of State intervention, ownership and regulation with private ownership and competition, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

"Our goal is to achieve the appropriate balance of these elements to achieve the desired objective of social and economic development," he told the Greek, Italian and Portuguese communities in Germiston.

He was responding to a question on whether his administration preferred a free market or a "leftist type of economy".

"We must also recognise that South Africa's inherited realities, the economic marginalisation of the majority, and high levels of inequality and poverty all create a particular need for an activist State," he said.

This meant a State that was equipped to address the country's developmental challenges.

Zuma said his administration would streamline processes to help foreigners set up businesses, in a bid to boost foreign direct investment.

"A one-stop shop to help potential foreign investors to set up business without undue delay is under consideration," he said.

On crime, the President said there should be no sympathy for criminals.

"... Because if we are [sympathetic], they [criminals] will harass us all the time," he said.

The Greek Italian and Portuguese communities had expressed their concerns about crime during a meeting with Zuma in September last year, before he was voted president.

"Because as we try to be very liberal about it, criminals kill, do everything, instil fear to society and that's why I always... need to support Minister [of Police Nathi] Mthetwa in the measures he is undertaking to deal with crime.

"In recognition of this, we have put a commissioner who doesn't laugh with the criminals," he said, referring to newly appointed National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele.

Zuma said criminals undermined the rights of citizens and this could not be condoned.

"Criminals... actually stop the rights of some citizens to live by shooting them and killing them and the next moment the lawyers are there to take him out because the constitution says you have a right to be out on bail.

"But I don't know, to me there's a contradiction... but I'm talking reality, citizens are not protected.

"That's a reality and I think government has a responsibility to protect citizens," he said.

Zuma said the government was in the process of overhauling the criminal justice system and boosting the number of police officials.

The government was "particularly concerned" with violent crime and crimes against women and children.

"We are particularly concerned with violent crime and the prevalence of violence in the perpetration of robberies," he said, referring to a spate of robberies at shopping malls.

"We need to act swiftly... to ensure that we halt such crimes."

Audience member Cynthia Joseph welcomed Zuma's remarks.

"My main concern is crime... he has acknowledged that there is a huge problem, but I don't believe he has given us any solutions.

"I am happy that he is prepared to get people on board to assist," she said.

Zuma conceded that after "some introspection", it was found that the government needed to function differently and more efficiently.

"The wheels of government turn very slowly, people in government tend to take things very easy. There is something that we need to change in government," he said.

He was accompanied by Mthetwa, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Social Development Minister Edna Molewa, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel.

Zuma also spoke about job creation, poverty alleviation and health.

Human rights lawyer and anti-apartheid stalwart George Bizos attended the talks as did businessperson Vivian Reddy, African National Congress spokesperson Jessie Duarte and the heads of missions of Italy, Portugal, Brazil and Mozambique.

Zuma received a warm welcome at the meeting and was thanked for keeping his promise to return, once elected, to address the communities' many concerns.

"I was very impressed tonight. We finally have a leader that's leading us," said audience member Ilia Prodomos.

he meeting was organised by the Hellenic, Italian and Portuguese (HIP) Alliance, an independent structure set up to facilitate engagement between the government and the Hellenic, Italian and Portuguese communities.