Multi-Party Charter outlines plans to improve SA’s crime rate

CAPE TOWN - The Multi-Party Charter (MPC) of South Africa says it plans to make the country safe, and is optimistic it will take over government after the general elections.

MPC leaders addressed the media in front of the Mfuleni police station in Cape Town on Wednesday, to outline plans to combat crime, corruption, and drugs in South Africa.

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According to the latest quarterly crime statistics, recorded between October and December 2023, 7,700 people were murdered in South Africa. This is an increase of 155 from the same period in the previous year.

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said the first step in improving policing in the country, was to appoint police leadership on merit and not through cadre deployment.

"The SAPS will only become a functional organisation, able to keep people safe when it is led by capable, experienced, and committed individuals who genuinely care about people's safety. People who have the skills needed to tackle crime efficiently and effectively."

ActionSA President Herman Mashaba blamed the African National Congress (ANC) government for the country's high crime rate.

"We have great respect for our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line, often working under terrible conditions. The source of the problem is the ANC, which controls SAPS, and does not provide our policemen and women with the training and resources they need."