ANC Manifesto: Party pledges to combat crime

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC plans to take a more comprehensive approach to fighting crime and strengthening the justice system in South Africa over the next five years. 

Ramaphosa made the remarks at the party’s manifesto launch in Moses Mabhida Stadium, KwaZulu-Natala on Saturday. 

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He said the party will, in the next five years, focus on the six key priorities to ensure economic growth under the ANC-led government. 

The party’s six priorities include building inclusive industries, addressing the cost of living, investing in South Africa’s defense, and advancing freedom.

STRENGTHENING JUSTICE SYSTEM PART OF ANC’S TOP PRIORITIES

He said over the next five years, the party will take steps to strengthen the justice system, such as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and review the Criminal Procedures Act and reducing case backlogs and delays. 

“The ANC will highlight the critical role of communities in preventing crime and gender-based violence through adequate resourcing of Community Policing Forums. 

Develop capabilities to combat cybercrime, essential infrastructure crimes, illegal firearms, gang violence, crime syndicates, human and drug trafficking, and corruption.

Provide additional capacity to the Hawks to tackle organised crime. Implement a data-driven approach to target violent crime hotspots and direct police resources and personnel to areas with the highest crime rates,” he said. 

THE PARTY PROMISES TO CREATE MILLIONS OF JOBS

This comes as Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported that the unemployment rate has increased to 32.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023, up from a one-year low of 31.9 percent in the third quarter of 2023, meaning that 46 000 more people are unemployed.

Ramaphosa said the ANC will create 2.5 million work opportunities in the next five years.

“The ANC will implement a jobs plan over the next five years. We will sustain and create 2.5 million work opportunities delivering public goods and services in communities.

This includes work done through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, funding to civil society through non-profit companies and organisations to provide work opportunities,” he said.