THE level of crime in South Africa was gradually dropping, thanks to the sterling work of the police and the co-operation of the public, newly-appointed Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula told reporters on Tuesday.
Speaking after a swearing-in ceremony — where he made an affirmation, witnessed by President Thabo Mbeki and his Cabinet colleagues — Nqakula made a public call to all South Africans to continue to support the police service.
”I am happy that I’m joining this particular portfolio when all our people are here to fight against crime. There should even be a stronger effort out there for our people to come together, so that we can deal very effectively with this scourge of crime… against the security and stability of our nation.”
Nqakula said the police should be praised for the sterling work they had done, as ”crime levels are gradually coming down”.
He also pledged to release crime statistics more regularly.
”The fact of the matter is we do want to report back to the people, because crime levels are going down, precisely because our people, those peace-loving South Africans, have volunteered their own services.
”They have allocated time and energy to ensure, as a collective of the entire nation, they participate in all the strategies to fight against crime.”
At the same ceremony, African National Congress Chief Whip Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula opted to take the oath, when she was sworn as the new deputy minister of home affairs, the post vacated by her husband.
She said she had reacted to the news of her appointment with a ”mixture of anxiety and surprise”, and she accepted her responsibility with ”vigour and an oozing amount of energy”.
No questions were allowed as both minister had to attend a session of the National Assembly.
Mbeki congratulated both new appointees and apologised for the hour-long delay, saying an air force plane that was to have transported him to Cape Town would not start and an alternative aircraft had to be found. – Sapa