Issued by: Ministry of Justice
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, DULLAH OMAR, IN CONNECTION WITH PROGRESS IN FIGHTING CRIME IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Minister Omar issued this statement in response to the unfortunate remarks of the MEC of Community Safety in the Western Cape, Mr Mark Wiley, who has accused Minister Omar of opportunism. Why? Because two weeks ago, at the Waterfront Memorial meeting, Minister Omar announced that within the next week an initiative would be made known to deal with violence in the Western Cape, gangsterism, drug trafficking and organised crime through a Special Unit to be established by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Bulelani Ngcuka.
The reason for the alleged opportunism is that such announcement has not been made. Minister Omar wishes to remind Mr Wiley that the lead Department in the fight against crime is Safety and Security and that he, as MEC for the Community Safety in the Western Cape, is expected to do something in that regard. Instead he is setting Western Cape government against National government. Whilst doing nothing about crime himself, he criticised the National government.
At the Waterfront meeting Minister Omar appealed that everybody should forget about party political difficulties and fight crime together. It appears that Wiley cannot do so. He is the only MEC of Safety and Security in the country, who is not visible in the fight against crime.
Over the past two weeks much has happened in preparation for the commencement of a Special Unit. Many role players are involved, including the Minister of Safety and Security and the National Commissioner of Police. The Western Cape government will also be approached by the National Director of Public Prosecutions to secure co-operation instead of Politicking.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Bulelani Ngcuka, has met with all the Attorneys-General jointly as well as individually. He participated in a conference with all Senior State Prosecutors throughout the country the first time in South Africa's history. At the same time he has already set up an office in Pretoria and spent a great deal of time attending to the filling of vacant posts. For example in Kwazulu Natal Mr Chris McAdam has been appointed Deputy Attorney General. He has secured the support of the British government and experts from the US, who will participate in the work of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
On Thursday 17/09/98 at 13h00 a Press conference will be held where the final announcement will be made.
It is hoped that Mr Wiley will stop his destructive activities and co-operate with all role players, so that the fighting of crime in the Western Cape can be successfully Prosecuted.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MINISTER OMAR BY: PAUL SETSETSE CAPE TOWN
13 SEPTEMBER 1998 CELL 0832524770