Army call-up not the answer for SA’s crime-ridden areas

Reitumetse Makwea, writes in the Citizen newspaper, "Army call-up not the answer for SA’s crime-ridden areas. South Africans have called on Police Minister Bheki Cele to resign or the SANDF to be deployed in areas where crime was rampant".

"In the wake of more horrific crimes reported across the country, soldiers would not combat crime, and sending in the military would only create false hope, according to a military expert, as police resources came under increasing pressure from violence and organised crime. South Africans have called on Police Minister Bheki Cele to resign or the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) to be deployed in areas where crime was rampant. However, Darren Olivier, director of the African Defence Review, said there was no “fast or easy way out of this crisis, nor any magic solution”.

Dr Annette Hubschle, Senior Researcher at the GRG, University of Cape Town said "It is a long game with many layers and needs before South Africa could say it had lost the war against crime, as the country needed a “whole of society” approach". "We all have a role to play in making sure our country and communities are safe”  she said. "Many communities and neighbourhoods have come together to work with Saps, provincial and national government officials and private security providers in shaping security arrangements".

Read the full article in the Citizen here >>>