Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
The Ministers responsible for the implementation of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) made recommendations to Cabinet on Wednesday, August 21, 1996, regarding measures which need to be urgently introduced to effectively deal with crime in the country.
Some, if not all, of the measures were already in the pipeline. They were being developed in the context of operationalising the NCPS. Those steps which require legislative amendments or introduction of new legislation are also going to be dealt with in the current session of Parliament.
The measure therefore should not be viewed as directed exclusively at dealing with the crime situation in the Western Cape. The net effect which they (the measures) have will be one of enhancing the capacity of the State when dealing with the problem of crime.
The enclosed document contains measures as approved by Cabinet. When evaluating their impact it will be necessary for all the measures, despite being department specific to be looked at in their interconnectedness.
This document makes the point that the NCPS Ministers were given the go-ahead by Cabinet to request the re-scheduling of the Parliamentary programme for purposes of expediting the enactment of the various Bills which are germaine to the topic under discussion.
Given the importance which all parliamentary parties attach to the fight against crime, we are confident that Parliament will be unanimous in its support for the re-scheduling of the legislative programme.
The Minister for Safety and Security will be available in his office this afternoon between 17h00 and 18h00 to take questions from journalists and short interviews.
Enquiries: Maxwell Malaudz 082 373 2005
22 August 1996