R14m to fight crime

2003-05-28 17:53

Johannesburg - At least R14.4m has been allocated to the Johannesburg metro police in the 2003/04 financial year to fight crime, the city council's finance director Roland Hunter said on Wednesday.

Presenting a preview of city mayor Amos Masondo's budget speech for the 2003/2004 financial year, he said funds would, among other things, employ an additional 100 policemen.

"Johannesburg citizens still perceive their city to be unsafe and this perception undermines economic growth."

Masondo said in his speech - prepared for delivery - that 70% of firms surveyed in the city mentioned crime as a major obstacle to growth.

About 62% of companies interviewed said crime was a constraint to investment in the city, and that reducing crime levels was the biggest contribution the council could make to grow the local economy.

Hunter said the council also set aside R8m for additional allocation of closed circuit television cameras in the central business district.

"We know the impact these cameras have had in the reduction of crime levels in the city, and the additional funds will ensure that programme is highly enhanced," he said.

- SAPA