Pretoria - Acting Cabinet spokesperson, Phumla Williams, has dismissed claims by retired Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who has reportedly said that South Africa is one of the most violent nations now than during the apartheid days.
Williams, in a statement issued by Government Communication and Information System, reacted to Archbishop Tutu’s comments by highlighting that violence in South Africa has significantly decreased since the installation of a democratic Government in 1994.
“Research has confirmed that people in South Africa are feeling safer now than during the apartheid days. This is a direct result of the implementation of the policies and strategies by the South African Police Service. These include high police visibility and swift responses to criminal activities,” said Williams.
She added that “Archbishop Tutu should be acknowledging the strides that government has made since the attainment of democracy, and also encourage religious leaders and other key stakeholders to work with Government in combating crime”.
Crime prevention, particularly violent crime, is one of government’s five key priorities and significant achievements have been made in this regard, as evident by the findings of 2011/2012 Victims of Crime Survey (VOCS).
According to South African Police Service statistics, the level of violent crimes in the South Africa has dropped significantly.
In October 2010, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) Ministers signed a delivery agreement with President Jacob Zuma, signifying the cluster's undertaking to embark on a prioritised Programme of Action towards making South Africa safe for all and attractive to visitors and investors.
The JCPS Cluster aims to have a stable and thriving democratic dispensation and are working tirelessly to ensure that South Africans feel and are safe. – SAnews.gov.za
