Chairperson, a number of members have commented on crime ranging from drugs, heists, transnational crimes and syndicates to crimes against business. What is important is that there is no place for the mafia or Pakistani mafia in South Africa. We must work together to ensure that we are hard on these criminals and protect our innocent citizens.
As government, we are increasing our capacity and co-ordination in dealing with crime. This is very important, instead of acting in isolation. Part of the strategy is to try and effectively deal with violent crimes particularly trio crimes. We hope that members will support us in this. Part of the problem is that if we can reduce the number of guns that are in circulation, we will go a long way in reducing these violent crimes affecting our society.
We must also agree to reduce the number of Okapi knives which are in circulation in South Africa. These are the two instruments which are used in most of the violent crimes we are facing in our country.
In order to deal with organised networks we have to tighten our border control management system. That is why we are working towards the single border management agency by the end of this December. Our agencies that are working on our border closed these loopholes which were exploited by these transnational crime syndicates.
I agree with the member from the ANC that what is critical for us as members is the issue of partnership with the stakeholders, particularly, in the community in dealing with crime. We hope that as members of this august House we will play our role in mobilising communities, business, the church and religious organisations to form this partnership so that we can assist our law-enforcement agencies in stamping out crime.
We are confident as government that with the strategies we are putting in place there will be no room for criminals, but there will be a place for safety for all our citizens. Thank you.