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SA police boost to tackle crime SA police boost to tackle crime
(about 6 hours later)
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has promised to increase the size of the police force to tackle the country's high crime rate.South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has promised to increase the size of the police force to tackle the country's high crime rate.
He told parliament there would be 180,000 police officers within three years, up from 152,000 at present.He told parliament there would be 180,000 police officers within three years, up from 152,000 at present.
"We... cannot claim the happiness that comes with freedom if communities live in fear, closeted behind walls and barbed wire," he said."We... cannot claim the happiness that comes with freedom if communities live in fear, closeted behind walls and barbed wire," he said.
Mr Mbeki has been accused of not doing enough to cut crime.Mr Mbeki has been accused of not doing enough to cut crime.
The BBC's Peter Biles in South Africa correspondent says as the country prepares to host the 2010 football World Cup, the government is under pressure to tackle crime.The BBC's Peter Biles in South Africa correspondent says as the country prepares to host the 2010 football World Cup, the government is under pressure to tackle crime.
He says that Mr Mbeki's acknowledgement that violent crime was a serious problem came as a surprise to many critics.
'Denial''Denial'
"We must continue and further intensify the struggle against crime," Mr Mbeki said in his annual state of the nation to parliament in Cape Town."We must continue and further intensify the struggle against crime," Mr Mbeki said in his annual state of the nation to parliament in Cape Town.
He called for closer cooperation with the private security industry and said the pay and working conditions of the police must be improved.
His other pledges included:His other pledges included:
  • More anti-Aids programmes
  • To tackle poverty
  • More drinking water
  • Speed up land reform
  • More anti-Aids programmes
  • To tackle poverty
  • More drinking water
  • Speed up land reform
The murder rate is falling, according to official figures but there are still more than 18,000 murders each year - one of the highest rates in the world.The murder rate is falling, according to official figures but there are still more than 18,000 murders each year - one of the highest rates in the world.
Last month's killing of world-renowned historian David Rattray drew international attention to the issue.Last month's killing of world-renowned historian David Rattray drew international attention to the issue.
SA debates crime rates Some members of the country's business community have become increasingly anxious about the impact on investor confidence.SA debates crime rates Some members of the country's business community have become increasingly anxious about the impact on investor confidence.
Opposition parties accuse the president of being in denial about the problem.Opposition parties accuse the president of being in denial about the problem.
Mr Mbeki recently said he did not think crime was out of control.Mr Mbeki recently said he did not think crime was out of control.
Some officials from Mr Mbeki's ruling African National Congress feel that it is the white community which is more concerned about crime, while poverty is the most pressing issue for the black majority.Some officials from Mr Mbeki's ruling African National Congress feel that it is the white community which is more concerned about crime, while poverty is the most pressing issue for the black majority.
South Africa is enjoying record rates of economic growth but many ordinary South Africans say they are yet to feel the benefits.South Africa is enjoying record rates of economic growth but many ordinary South Africans say they are yet to feel the benefits.
HAVE YOUR SAY The South African government has more support than all its opponents put together Paul Miller, Stoke, UK Send us your comments Political analyst, and the president's brother, Moeletsi Mbeki, says the two issues of poverty and crime are linked.HAVE YOUR SAY The South African government has more support than all its opponents put together Paul Miller, Stoke, UK Send us your comments Political analyst, and the president's brother, Moeletsi Mbeki, says the two issues of poverty and crime are linked.
"I think the government is under a lot of pressure over crime from everybody in South Africa, " he told the BBC."I think the government is under a lot of pressure over crime from everybody in South Africa, " he told the BBC.
"The level of crime is totally unacceptable."The level of crime is totally unacceptable.
"Unemployment has risen over the past 15 - 20 years, so South Africans are getting poorer and the other reason is we're getting more inequality in South Africa.""Unemployment has risen over the past 15 - 20 years, so South Africans are getting poorer and the other reason is we're getting more inequality in South Africa."