Premier in dig at media over crime reporting

Taking a swipe at the media, Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane has criticised the press for tarnishing South Africa’s name. She raised her criticism at a briefing with diplomats and business leaders in Pretoria on Wednesday.

The briefing was aimed at addressing crime perceptions on South Africa and the impact these have on the business and tourism sectors.

The breakfast briefing – which was also addressed by Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros – appears to have been an attempt to allay fears and show that crime was being dealt with in the province and country.

Addressing government officials, diplomats and business owners, Mokonyane said the perception of crime in South Africa and Gauteng was a challenge.

“It has been made difficult by the media which is often at fault for focusing on the negative and not positive results, such as successful prosecutions which can be used to shape perceptions.

“The threat of crime is critical especially to the tourism and business sectors. We are hosting today’s briefing to boost the image of South Africa and address the issue of safety and security.

“We are doing this so that you can inform your governments about what the true situation in South Africa is when it comes to crime, safety and security,” the premier told diplomats.

Mokonyane said that in dealing with crime the government wanted to bring the warmth of the country and its people to the forefront.

Also, to show that “we are actually a country of people who love and not just hate”.

She said the crime-fighting strategy of the province had to include organised business and communities.

“Our strategies include the establishment of specialised policing initiatives focusing on tourism to prevent crimes against tourists who are perceived as soft targets, which are in fact not.

“The diplomatic family is an important community in the province and they are needed to carry the message to their countries.”

Asked if the provincial government would be embarking on similar meetings with local communi-ties, Mokonyane said they would.

Joining Mokonyane in trying to change the perception of crime in the country and Gauteng, Petros highlighted decreases in contact crimes such as murders.

He said Gauteng was the second most proficient province in the country in combating crime.

“We have made great headway in reducing and preventing crime, often achieving rates well above the national crime reduction targets,” he said.

Highlighting the serious problems of hijackings, armed robberies and house robberies, Petros said there were plans under way to bring mobile police stations to communities to improve police visibility, “which is what communities want”.

“Other plans in place are aimed at addressing detective capabilities and improving training. These and other strategies are now paying off,” Petros said.

Chinese Embassy police attaché, Xiandi Lou, said while they had concerns about crime in South Africa and Gauteng, the briefing had given them confidence in the country’s abilities to address crime.

“We have up to 70 000 tourists coming to South Africa every year along with a big Chinese community living in the country, whose safety we are concerned about,”he said.

Royal Thai Embassy consul, Issara Patthamasukhon, said while satisfied with South African crime fighting measures, there were still incidents happening.

“Crime is a very real threat in South Africa, especially in Gauteng and although there is police, more visibility is needed.

“As a whole the entire criminal justice system needs improvement.” - Pretoria News