The recent spate of armed robberies in shopping centres shows how far we have moved from a constitutional state to one controlled and manipulated by thugs. Criminals no longer sneak around bushes in the dark of the night, they no longer skulk in the shadows, they no longer fear the law. With military precision they take on armed security vans and public shopping centres. Convicted criminals have even infiltrated the ranks of the law enforcers.
Whilst greed is at the forefront of these arrogant and larger than life tyrants, the lack of economic development and failure on the part of our police and justice system exacerbate the problem. Incorrect employment and promotion criteria are at the forefront of the collapse in our justice system. It is one thing for the ruling parties leaders to promote a shoot to kill policy which is reminiscent of a country under a state of emergency but it takes us further away from a constitutional state.
Our justice system needs cleaning up, simplifying and rationalising to make the enforcement and prosecution of serious crime a reality. Members of the public often call out for stricter sentences, urging the adaption of the eye for an eye doctrine. However sanctions have no effect if criminals can correctly and arrogantly believe that the law will not apprehend them and if apprehended will not successfully prosecute them. Many of the criminals can even look forward to successful careers in the police forces of our local and national government upon having been successfully convicted of assault and other serious crimes. Why should they give up there now successful career paths? Who knows perhaps in the future they may be made head of the metro police?
Unfortunately with every attack on a shopping centre there is an immediate reaction from the public. They stop shopping in fear of being hit in the cross fire. This adds to the problems of an economy which has little inputs from the government to develop the poor to be self sufficient. The existing syndrome of expecting the state to provide needs to be broken and replaced with one where our residents are inspired entrepreneurially to take their future into their own hands.
Under a DA government in 2011, residents in the greater Tshwane Metro can expect local government to cut red tape, stream line efficient government and develop local talents. We need to develop Tshwane as a business hub for young, small and large entrepreneurs who will be able to do business without fear from local crime lords.
The existing low profile of Metro police officers will be changed with the continued expansion of Ward based policing. Ensuring that all Wards have at least one Metro police vehicle at all times available to respond and assist the South African Police Service and other quasi security initiatives of residents. In addition visible policing near all major shopping centres will be implemented as a disincentive for the arrogant criminals to not target our shopping centres and rather pursue legitimate entrepreneurial activity. No convicted criminal will ever be employed under a Democratic Alliance led Tshwane Metropolitan council.
Residents can be assured of a cleaner, efficient and operational local government allowing us the right to shop without fear or worries as to what their government is NOT doing.
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