Crime statistics are just as good as the people that prepare them. The situation is South Africa is no different. 

The number of murders in SA has declined by 9,9% to a whopping 19 824 per year, or 55 people per day. 55 people whose "right to life" was taken away by a criminal who, when caught, tried and convicted, cannot be sentenced to death because the government of this country respects such a person's basic "right to life" and has therefore abandoned the death penalty. 

This, by the way, is the first year that less than 20 000 people per year has been murdered since 1994/95. Countries that are officially in a state of war do not experience this level of casualties as a direct result of war and armed activity. 

In Britain the number of murder victims amounts to about 850 people per year, 23 times as many people die in South Africa at the hands of criminals. 

And for every crime that is committed in this country, the Government of South Africa stands to gain financially.

14% VAT on the replacement of stolen items,

14% VAT on all medical expenses as a direct result of crime.

14% VAT on all expenses to try and protect ourselves from crime and criminal activity.

And if you die as the result of crime, the Government, who failed to protect you in the first instance, claims Death Taxes and Estate Duties from your estate and your loved ones that now have to cope without you. 

It is time that all South Africans join hands and call on the SA Government to forgo this immoral and unconstitutional financial gain as a direct result of crime. 

The current crime statistics is just a report on the incidences of crime in our country. Why can't we have statistics that show the number of crimes, plus the number of criminals apprehended, brought before court, tried, convicted and sentenced? Then you will see that the South African Government has no real intention of stopping crime and criminal behavior, or is having any success in doing so. 

(If you have the guts to print my contact details and invite South Africans to contact me, it will be appreciated and your effort in this regard congratulated.) 

Johann MarxDirector: Priora Forum - Upholding the Constitution, Peperboom Lane, Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort, South Africa; telephone:(082) 490-5631