leaders
8 March 2007
Business Against Crime hosted a breakfast meeting this morning where Premier
Rasool and Business Against Crime CEO, Dr Annelie Rabie met with the province's
business leaders. This follows a meeting of Business Against Crime and the
Premier two weeks ago.
This breakfast meeting came in the wake of very vocal and frustrated calls
of the broader community that crime, especially violent crime is totally out of
control. The cries of frustration against drug lords, gangsterism, tik abuse,
aggravated robberies, hijackings and a general sense that civil obedience has
disappeared, begs of BAC and the corporate core in this province to engage the
Premier and the Provincial Commissioner (PC).
What is set to become an ongoing dialogue between business and government,
Premier Rasool committed to meeting with Business Against Crime and business
leaders at least twice a year. BAC and the Premier agreed on the common aims of
making the Western Cape a safe place where one does business, where one lives
and where one works.
Premier Rasool reiterated his plan as outlined in the State of the Province
Address where he pledged a budget of R1 billion toward the 15 critical areas
where crime is most prevalent such as the Cape Flats and outlying areas in the
province. He invited big business to participate or partner with government in
its plans. All this geared towards ensuring safety during the city's hosting of
2010 events and beyond. The Premier also pointed out that statistics may show
that the incidence of crime committed against tourists is significant; the
impact of these incidences are significantly damaging to our reputation as a
tourism destination in international and local markets.
Of note, violent crime statistics showed a decrease but there was an
escalation in property related crime. Premier Rasool attributed this to factors
such as poverty and drug addiction. Rasool emphasised that various government
departments: Health, Social Development, Safety and Security and South African
Police Service (SAPS) would work closely together to achieve the provincial
imperative to reduce and eradicate the critical poverty and social challenges
that may perpetuate criminal behaviour. While crime statistics show that as a
province we have been responding better to crime i.e. a 23% decrease reported
in 2006, it is important to send a solid message to our communities and across
the world, that our determination is matched by our successes.
Premier Rasool's closing comment emphasised the commitment of the provincial
government to working with BAC and its membership. Rasool also acknowledged the
important role played by women in business and urged all men present to pledge
their support, especially as today is International Women's Day and highlight
the challenge posed by women abuse and rape.
Responding to the Premier's speech, Kevin Chaplin, Chairman of BAC Western
Cape, said: "We need to understand the Premier clearly when he speaks about the
over R1 billion that he budgeted for 2007/08 to address crime. Whilst the money
has been spent it remains our responsibility to provide him with our collective
wisdom on what we regard as important."
Chaplin also emphasised the strategic significance of the business
breakfast: "This morning created a platform to in an open, honest, positive and
genuine manner to speak our minds. It provided all of us the opportunity to say
what we think is lacking and why it is lacking and it provides the opportunity
to bring our suggested solutions to the party."
BAC, CEO, Dr Annelie Rabie is of the opinion that sufficient funding exists
to do what is needed. The strategic platform to consolidate the voice of
business in the fight against crime also exists through BAC. It is in the
formation of an Industry Alignment Forum that BAC believes the required
integrated approach to addressing crime lies. Therefore one of the outcomes of
this morning is the establishment of this Forum to drive the consolidated voice
of business in the strategic fight against crime.
"The SAPS is sufficiently knowledgeable in doing their core functions and we
need not create alternative police forces. But there may be issues of improved
service delivery that requires of us, the business community, to lend a helping
hand. During 2006, the PC and our CEO have hosted and addressed over 15
business groupings and sectors as part of an initiative to speak openly and
frankly about industry-related crime issues. Therefore, the establishment of
the Industry Alignment Forum will further ferment this relationship. In
addition, BAC Western Cape is also embarking on a membership drive that will
ensure that businesses big and small will have a platform from which it could
address and participate in the strategic fight against crime," Rabie said.
Enquiries:
Shado Twala
Tel: (021) 483 5642
Fax: (021) 483 5636
Cell: 083 640 6771
E-mail: stwala@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government
8 March 2007
