African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma visited the relatives of a florist murdered on a farm in Meyerton, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday, after reading about the family’s tragedy.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation quoted Zuma as saying the issue of crime in the country was serious.
”It is important that the entire nation be mobilised against crime,” said Zuma.
Speaking at a media briefing after visiting the family of Willie Slabbert — who was found stabbed to death on his kitchen floor last Tuesday — Zuma said there was a need for more interaction between the Afrikaans-speaking community and the government.
This would help the community not to feel ostracised, he said.
”I think the problem is there is less talks between the Afrikaner community and those in authority to say what are the problems,” said Zuma.
Slabbert’s niece Daleen Kruger died of a heart attack shortly after hearing the news of his murder.
Kruger’s brother Theuns is a quadriplegic after being shot in the neck and back in 1999.
Earlier this week Zuma had a visit with singer Steve Hofmeyr and, according to Beeld, the two chatted about what frustrates Afrikaners.
”Zuma feels about the Zulus, the way that I feel about Afrikaners,” Hofmeyr is reported to have said after their meeting at Zuma’s home in Johannesburg.
Responding to suggestions that he was drumming up the support of the Afrikaner community ahead of the presidential race, Zuma said: ”It’s not about getting support, I honestly believe there needs to be more interaction between the Afrikaans-speaking community and government”.
‘Fed up’
Meanwhile, Zuma said he was ”fed up” with being pursued by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Last year the state had sought a postponement pending the outcome of businessman Schabir Shaik’s appeal for his fraud and corruption conviction.
The case against Zuma was subsequently struck off the roll.
The NPA is now attempting to obtain documents from Mauritius relating to accusations of corruption against Zuma. – Sapa