'Stop crime before it happens'

2008-08-12 14:37

Johannesburg - Crime must be stopped before it happens, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said on Tuesday.

"The more competent and trained police officers we have on the streets, the better we will be able to prevent crime," she said in Sandton, Johannesburg, at the launch of her party's anti-crime plan.

She said the DA would employ 250 000 police officers should it be in power - in contrast to the government's target of 190 000 - and employ a further 30 000 detectives.

"The DA will employ police officers purely on the basis of competence, not quotas, and we will stop top-level political appointments."

She said conviction on a charge of corruption or fraud would result in instant dismissal and the Independent Complaints Directorate would be empowered to come down hard on errant officers.

She said the DA would reinstate the Narcotics Bureau as crime prevention also required dealing decisively with drug abuse, border security would be tightened up, and more funds would be devoted to rehabilitation to keep children safe from drug barons.

As part of the plan the DA would reduce backlogs at forensic science laboratories, implement staff retention strategies and set higher standards of training so that police investigations would no longer be undermined by poor processing of evidence.

"Specialised units have previously been hugely successful in combating specific crimes. Almost all have been closed down. They must be reinstated so that the war on child abuse, narcotics and vehicle theft, among others, can be strengthened."

She said clear plans to respond to particular problems such as rural safety, organised crime, domestic and sexual violence, violence in schools and metal theft would be implemented.

More police would be deployed to crime hotspots and would be given additional resources and training.

Those charged with crimes would be prosecuted speedily, and there would be no bail for repeat offenders for certain serious crimes, including murder, rape and drug dealing.

Help for crime victims

"Those who commit other serious crimes will have to show cause as to why they should be granted bail. Those who are convicted must serve the time they deserve."

The DA would create a statutory body called the directorate for victims of crime, she said.

This body would monitor the response of officials to victims and administer a toll-free helpline for victims.

"Most importantly, this directorate will manage a victims of crime fund to ensure that victims have access to services and assistance."

The fund would include money from various sources, including prisoners' earnings and all bail money forfeited to the state.

"Anyone suffering physical, emotional or financial damage as a result of a crime would be able to claim against it."

- SAPA