DA takes action on crime stats

2003-05-30 16:48

Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance said on Friday it had submitted an official application to Gauteng safety and liaison MEC Nomvula Mokonyane to release crime figures for province, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

"Regular and reliable information is a vital management tool and is urgently needed in respect of crime," the DA said in a statement.

"The government professes that safety is a top priority, but it does not provide up-to-date information with regards to the what, where, when and how of the subject. As a result they will never handle this crucial challenge.

"Ordinary citizens are also entitled to crime information, for example they need to know where danger spots are and where to take special care or which places to avoid."

The party added that police management needed to share what trends were developing and needed to be take aboard ideas of how to handle specific problems in their precincts.

"The excuse by the ANC (African National Congress) that the media sensationalises crime does not hold water. The victims of crime and everybody in their circle know how bad the situation is and do not need to be told by anybody that the criminals are holding them ransom," DA Gauteng safety spokesperson Anchen Dreyer said.

- SAPA