|
'SA not winning crime battle'
10/11/2006 18:55 - (SA)
Johannesburg - South Africa is not winning the battle against crime and violence, said leaders of Christian churches on Friday.
"While we take note of the interpretation of the latest statistics given by the police and notwithstanding our appreciation for their efforts, it is clear to all of us that we are not winning this battle."
Representatives of most of the larger Christian churches in South Africa met last month in Kempton Park to discuss their "responsibility before God regarding the worrying situation of crime and violence in the country".
Among the leaders of the 31 churches at the meeting were Bishop Ivan Abrahams of the Methodist Church, Cardinal Wilfred Napier of the Roman Catholic Church and Doctor Jerry Pillay of the United Presbyterian Church.
Minister Eddie MaKue of the South African Council of Churches and the Salvation Army's commissioner Trevor Tuck also attended.
'Levels of violence and crime not normal'
The church leaders said that on the contrary, facts show that particularly violent crimes were increasing.
"The levels of violence and crime in our country are not normal, and any attempts to portray it as such are irresponsible and without credibility."
The churches said the first step would be to accept that the country had a crisis, before trying to face the situation, "otherwise the gains of our democracy and the progress made during the last 15 years will be destroyed".
The church leaders believe that the fight against crime and violence is firstly the responsibility of elected political leaders.
"We believe that they are given the primary responsibility to ensure good order and peace in a society," said the leaders.
They said there would be no progress if government did not accept its essential role in dealing with crime and violence.
They urged President Thabo Mbeki to take a firm lead in this matter.
The churches said the close on 19 000 murders, 55 000 reported rapes and 500 000 cases of violent interpersonal crimes every year were absolutely unacceptable.
'No respect for human dignity or life'
"Now even school children kill each other, innocent bystanders die and babies are raped by people who clearly have no respect for human dignity or life."
Church leaders cited poverty and unemployment as major contributing factors to crime and violence in the country.
"We are, however, also convinced that the difficulty of the problem is such that no one institution in our country - including government - can solve this problem alone. All of us will have to help."
The churches pledged to care for the needy and unemployed in an attempt to keep them away from criminal activities.
"We will help in the development of people and even job creation where possible," said the churches.
They also believed that congregations can play an important role in the formation of violence-free communities.
The churches voiced their willingness to discuss with other institutions the formation of a new peace accord "through which we will try to eradicate the brutal violence in our country by purposeful and united efforts".
- SAPA
|
News
