Police

The Police

There is no question that crime has gotten out of control in South Africa. The government has intentionally put other priorities first. Instead of having police officers who can investigate a crime, the government prefers officers who are illiterate simply because it allows them to meet their racial quotas. Officers are being sent out to crime sites who are incapable of taking a simple statement from a witness. Hundreds of thousands of guns owned by the government have disappeared—to magically reappear in the hands of criminals. Meawhile, hundreds and hundreds of criminals simply walk out of jail. The primary function of government in a civilized society is to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens. In this sense the ANC/COSATU/SACP government has failed miserably.

Self-Defense and Guns

The South African police have proven that they are incapable of protecting citizens from armed thugs. Yet Mr. Tshwete wishes to reduce the ability of South Africans to defend themselves. Under new gun control legislation, a computerized data base “would be directly linked to all weapons manufacturers and all arms dealers, so that up-to-date information, including current addresses of license-holders, is readily available” (Mail & Guardian, 11.19.99). Such a data base will be useful should the State ever decide to confiscate all privately held weapons. Tshwete again justified such measures with the same rhetoric: “The presumptions and penalties contained in the Bill are very tough but necessary. We will relentlessly address the unacceptably high levels of firearm-related violence in our society.” -- With Criminal Intent: Big Brother in South Africa, Jim Peron

Governments record of police mismanagement

Governments role in criminal firearms

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