South African President Thabo Mbeki has been called on by the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) parliamentary caucus to demonstrate in his opening of Parliament speech on Friday ”that he has moved decisively away from a position of denial”.
In a statement released by the IFP’s chief whip Koos van der Merwe — the longest-serving MP — it said this denial was ”in respect of a number of serious issues confronting all South Africans”.
”Although government is doing good work in some areas, the IFP feels that South Africans of all political persuasions are confused about the president’s approach to important matters such as crime, HIV/Aids and corruption, and there are high hopes that he might, even at this late stage, recognise the mistakes his government has made and that he will demonstrate a willingness to change,” said Van der Merwe.
Mbeki is delivering his State of the Nation address at Parliament on Friday morning.
Heightened debate over crime
On Wednesday it was reported that Mbeki is expected to outline a strategy to cut crime and poverty and prepare the nation to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup in a speech overshadowed by a deep rift in his ruling party.
Mbeki’s speech to Parliament on Friday has been preceded by a heightened debate over rampant crime, an issue which worries business leaders in Africa’s biggest economy.
Crime statistics show that nearly 2,5-million people were victims of violent crime in the past three years and a recent study also showed a probability that more than 90% of people will fall victim to crime in South Africa.
Business Day newspaper recently reported that crime had increased by 7% over the past twelve years, with common robberies increasing by 89% over that time period. The country also has the world’s highest murder rate at over 18 000 a year.
Mbeki (64) is unlikely to announce sweeping programmes and is more likely to recommit his government to expanding public works projects and preparing for the World Cup.
But this could be the most turbulent year since Mbeki took over from Nelson Mandela in 1999 and much of his time could be spent on the infighting in the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The ANC is being torn by rifts ahead of a December conference that will pick Mbeki’s successor as party leader, and likely next president.
Although Mbeki can claim a number of successes — the economy remains buoyant, the treasury is expected to run a surplus and the black middle-class is growing — he is dogged by some issues.
Crime is often mentioned as Mbeki’s most glaring blind spot.
Despite rising public alarm over high levels of murder and rape, Mbeki is seen as playing down the severity of the issue, prompting many to question whether he is willing or able to confront one of the country’s most pressing problems. — I-Net Bridge, Reuters