Crime is a national security issue says DA

Government needs to focus on the issue of crime as a matter of national security, says Tony Leon, the leader of the opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). Leon was commenting on the state-of-the-nation address last week by President Thabo Mbeki.

Leon agrees that crime in some areas has gone down and in some areas it has gone up, but "in some areas we simply do not know, because government is very misleading with crime statistics".

According to other sources, for instance the Institute of Security Studies, statistics show that nine or 10 million South Africans were victims of crime last year. Leon says this is a staggering statistic. He says the figures also show 20 000 South African were murdered, 50 000 officially reported raped and these are enormous numbers to consider.

DA not praising government
Leon has been criticised for acting grudgingly in not praising the government, specifically for not commenting on the comprehensive review of the regulatory framework applying to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME's) that was announced by President Mbeki. Leon says he is delighted that the government has taken this on board, but that he was concerned about its intentions.

Leon says "what the president gave in one hand last week seemed to be clawed back yesterday" in a speech given by Membathisi Mdladlana, the minister of labour, who contradicted what was said by Mbeki. The opposition leader says the minister was suggesting that there is not going to be a wholesale exemption of the small business sector. He adds that when these issues materialise, he would be the first to praise government.