Crime stats: time to declare state of emergency

It is clear that the Saps is losing the battle against the criminal element, writes Jabu.

We all know that the crime in our country is out of hand and crime stats released recently support that notion. But of great concern to me are armed robberies – both business and household – carjackings, drug pushing.

We lose 57 people daily as a result. This is astronomical even in a country that is at war.

It is clear that Saps is losing this battle.

I’m of a view that a state of emergency be declared on crime and that the army be brought in to help the police.

For this fight to be effective and efficient, army and police must be deployed in every inch of the country and be given powers to search, with or without a warrant, every house, building or hostel when there are suspicions of illegal activities taking place.

That could lead to the recovery of illegal guns, drugs and other illicit goods.

All sex dens must be raided for drugs and human trafficking.

During the state of emergency, all citizens must carry with them identity card or something to identify him or her at all times.

Curfew must be introduced in all townships, hostels and other crime hot spots like Hillbrow, Sunnyside in Tshwane and other areas in the country.

Lastly, our borders must be tightly sealed and security must be upped at all border posts as these are the first and last line of defence against unwanted persons, contraband, etc.