Pretoria - Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa says an effective partnership between government and the business sector was crucial in ensuring South Africa remained a safer place to do business.
"We view business, particularly the banking sector as important role players in government's goal of effectively dealing with crime," Mthethwa said. He said due to the changing nature of crime in South Africa, it was important to constantly evaluate the approach police were taking to fight the scourge.
Recent crime statistics have shown a sharp increase in crimes committed against businesses in South Africa with robberies increasing by a staggering 41.5 percent between April 2008 and March 2009.
Mthethwa said crime can not be allowed to be a hindrance between financial institutions and societies they serve. "Our many engagements with business and civil society have resulted gaining and sharing valuable insights which have helped in reducing and dealing with some of these heinous crimes," said Mthethwa.
The minister was speaking at the South African Banking Risk Information Centre chairman's dinner held in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
The event was attended by the industry's heavyweights and government leaders.
