Issued by: Secretary for Safety and Security
BYAZHAR CACHALIA SECRETARY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, NOVEMBER 19, 1996, PRETORIA.
The Department for Safety and Security welcomes the proposals put forward by the Democratic Party as a constructive contribution to the debate on what the appropriate solutions are to dealing with the problem of crime in our society. It also represents a departure from the reactive and unhelpful way that the crime debate has been approached thus far.
The proposals will certainly add value to the Government's National Crime Prevention Strategy. I particularly welcome the strong emphasis for cities and towns becoming the central focus of crime prevention initiative. This is in line with current Government thinking and will receive further attention at the conference which is being jointly hosted by NEDLAC and the Government on 21 November 1996.
A further interesting proposal is that Crime Prevention Councils should replace Community Policing Forums. This proposal will have to be carefully considered against the problem of trying to make a National Police Service accountable to locally elected structures.
The Democratic Party's strong emphasis on effective punishment of offenders and support for victims as well as the need for performance measurement will also enhance Government initiatives in this area. The proposal that a National anti-corruption Agency be established to root out corruption in particular areas of Government such as the criminal justice system will become part of a broader government study into corruption which is expected to commence early next year.
I want to give the assurance that the Democratic Party's proposals will received proper attention by the Government. I have referred the proposals for assessment to the National Crime Prevention Strategy Team.