ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 22 September 2003

In this issue:

1. Crime should be eradicated, not stabilised
2. Effective action needed for drought in Western Cape

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1. Crime should be eradicated, not stabilised

ACDP deputy leader Louis Green

The release of crime statistics that indicate crime is stabilising is not encouraging to South Africans, says ACDP Chief Whip and deputy leader Louis Green.

"The most important function of civil government is to protect law-abiding citizens and to bring to justice all those who break the law. Government must set clear and achievable goals to eliminate crime and not to stabilise it," Mr Green said.

"While we wish to commend the police for their efforts in fighting crime, there is much room for improvement and more funding must be made available to fight crime.

"The ACDP promotes zero tolerance towards crime and our crime eradication strategy involves implementing stiffer sentences incorporating restitution for certain property offences and capital punishment for crimes such as murder," Mr Green said.

Criticising the release of the crime statistics to journalists during a lock-up session at Parliament two hours before they were made public, Mr Green said that the Safety and Security Committee, which has an oversight role, should have been the first to be informed of the latest crime statistics.

"The release of the latest crime statistics to the media under a lock-up situation is unacceptable to the ACDP," he said.

"We understand if the Minister of Finance needs a lock-up session with the Finance Committee to release details of the Budget before he addresses this house on the same day, but we fail to understand why crime statistics are made available to the press before they are made available to members of this House."

For more information: Louis Green at 082 962 5884
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307

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2. Effective action needed for drought in Western Cape

Motion by ACDP MP (NCOP) Mr Kent Durr

The House notes the ravaging effect the winter drought has had thus far upon the Western Cape.

Professional estimates put the estimated cost of the drought in the Western Cape at R1.6 billion.

The House notes that thus far there has been no assistance forthcoming from either the central government or the government of the Western Cape.

The House notes further that the situation in the Namaqualand region of the Northern Cape is equally critical.

The House calls upon the government to take effective action.

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