A wave of anger and indignation has met remarks by Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula that ”constant moaners” about crime should rather leave the country.
Accusing Nqakula of insensitivity, political parties, agricultural leaders and non-government bodies said on Friday the minister is out of touch with reality.
Nqakula’s attack on those complaining about the crime rate came during debate on his Budget vote in Parliament on Thursday.
He said: ”They can continue to whinge until they’re blue in the face … be as negative as they want to, or they can simply leave this country so that all of the peace-loving South Africans, good South African people who want to make this a successful country, can continue with their work.”
Democratic Alliance spokesperson Roy Jankielsohn demanded an apology from Nqakula.
He said by the minister’s own statistics, every day 51 South Africans are murdered, 151 rapes are reported by women and children and 347 armed robberies take place.
”The minister is clearly out of touch with the feelings of ordinary South Africans, perhaps because he rarely visits victims of crime and is protected by VIP security,” Jankielsohn said.
The truth is that South Africans — black and white — are angry about the high crime rate and justifiably feel that the state is not protecting them.
”The people of South Africa deserve an apology from the minister and an undertaking that he will put all his efforts into tackling crime,” Jankielsohn said.
Free State Agriculture president Louw Steytler said Nqakula’s statement is ”absolute and utterly” unacceptable, especially while farmers are being attacked at an alarming rate.
”The politicians should, instead of criticising those people that are concerned, take their concerns to heart,” he said. ”I will not leave my country.”
Nqakula should admit that South Africa has a huge problem with crime, Steytler added, saying organised agriculture is prepared to work with the government to address crime in rural areas.
Federal Alliance leader Louis Luyt said Nqakula’s remarks reflect ignorance and insensitivity about South African’s fears and worries.
”When 50 people are murdered every day and concerned citizens want the minister … to address this problem, his only reaction in Parliament is to call these people moaners,” said Luyt. ”It is clear that the government has totally lost touch with reality.”
AfriForum’s Come Home Campaign advised Nqakula to examine his and his department’s inability to combat crime effectively, rather than tell South Africans who complain about crime to leave the country.
Spokesperson Alana Bailey said it is inapt for Nqakula to target the messengers, instead of paying attention to the message that the current crime rate is unacceptable.
His comments are especially uncalled for in South Africa, which already faces crippling skills shortages. For every skilled person who leaves the country, up to 10 direct or indirect employment opportunities are lost, she said.
”As unemployment is a direct cause of crime, the loss of skilled labour due to Nqakula’s statement will only result in more crime in the country.
”The minister therefore not only fails to combat crime, but becomes a cause thereof with this insensitive attitude,” Bailey said. — Sapa