DA wants crime-specific stats

2007-01-29 00:00

Johannesburg - Gauteng safety MEC Firoz Cachalia must provide figures of each major crime category when he releases feedback on his six-month initiative to bring crime under control in the province, the Democratic Alliance said on Sunday.

"Too often the South African public is subjected to empty rhetoric from those people responsible for the country's safety and security.

"If the Minister and each MEC wants to show they are responsible, effective and serious about their commitment to fighting crime - they need to be measured against key indicators.

"Of these, the crime figures are the most important," said Diane Kohler-Barnard, the party's safety and security spokesperson.

Resign

Cachalia launched "Operation Iron Fist" in July 2006, pledging to resign if it could be found that he had failed to do something about controlling crime levels.

The strategy was to include increased police visibility; increased roadblocks; tracking down most wanted criminals; stepping up efforts to confiscate illegal firearms and improving skills at the 10111 emergency call centres.

The focus was to be on reducing business robbery, vehicle hijacking, cash in transit heists, taxi violence and residential burglary.

The programme ended on January 11 and information on its effectiveness was expected at the end of January, an official in his office has said.

If Cachalia managed to reduce crime, he should be commended. If he failed, he should step down, Kohler-Barnard said.

- SAPA