President Thabo Mbeki should explain why he needs a security wall worth R90-million for his residence if there is no crime problem in the country, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday.
”He should tell us why he will have a wall built around his Pretoria house for such a massive amount while ordinary South Africans continue to suffer the effects of crime without such luxury,” said DA spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard.
Beeld reported on Tuesday that the wall would be imported, adding that the additional security measure for the president would ”raise people’s eyebrows” in view of Mbeki’s perception that crime was not out of control in South Africa.
Barnard said Mbeki had continually denied that crime had become a national crisis and had said it was a perception, rather than a fact.
”If that is the case, then we should not be hearing about expensive imported walls that will cost the taxpayer so much,” said Barnard.
She said the security wall should be viewed as an admission by the president that crime was out of control and that he, with all his existing security privileges, felt unsafe in his official residence.
”It is very said that most South Africans live in daily fear of becoming victims of violent crime, while the governing African National Congress continues denying the problem from behind [its] high walls.
”This issue raises several questions about the president’s attitude towards ordinary citizens of this country.”
The Department of Public Works has yet to respond, but has indicated that it intends issuing a statement about the matter. — Sapa