IFP unveils crime pledge

2004-03-23 22:27

Cape Town - The Inkatha Freedom Party unveiled the last of its five election pledges on Tuesday, this one dealing with the party's plans to tackle and bring under control South Africa's high crime levels.

Earlier pledges - part of the IFP's "five golden policy solutions" sketching the party's stance on major election issues - have dealt with Aids, poverty, unemployment and corruption.

In a statement, IFP national spokesperson Musa Zondi said the IFP's proposals on crime were designed to "eradicate the culture of crime, impunity, and lawlessness in South Africa".

He said the country was facing a crime crisis.

The IFP pledged to, among other things:

adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards crime of any kind;

use local government as an instrument in uprooting crime;

extend the role of communities in Community Policing Forums;

have more visible policing, and make police stations user and community-friendly;

upgrade the police service by providing better and targeted training; and,

call for a referendum on the death penalty.

- SAPA