Zuma wants help to reduce holiday crime

2011-12-20 22:05

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday urged the public to work with authorities in bringing down crime and accident levels over the holiday season.

"It is estimated that we lose 14 000 lives per annum due to road crashes. We have to stop this carnage," he said at the launch of the Hlasela Ubugebengu safety awareness campaign in the Ilembe district municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.

"We lose an estimated R56bn per annum in total cost to the economy. However, the emotional loss to families is immeasurable."

Zuma said police would make a concerted effort to curb dangerous driving by arresting motorists for speeding and reckless or negligent driving. Taxi and bus operators guilty of overloading and using unroadworthy vehicles would be arrested. Traffic officials would continue to check a million vehicles and drivers a month.

There would be more police patrols at all tourist destinations, especially at the coast.

The fight against crime during the festive season would extend to an anti-piracy and counterfeit goods campaign.

"Our musicians work hard producing music that we all enjoy. We must not buy counterfeit goods as they kill our musical heritage and are tantamount to stealing the hard-earned cash of our musicians.

"The fight against music and art piracy includes the police, departments of trade and industry, home affairs, Sars and the national prosecuting authority, and a few prominent artists including Deborah Fraser, Zahara and Lusanda and many others," said Zuma.

Police would conduct general operations to curb increasing counterfeit production, and illegal sale of CDs, DVDs and clothing and of contraband cigarettes.

Zuma reminded those attending the event that under new Second Hand Goods Act both the seller and buyer of counterfeit goods will be charged.

- SAPA