[LISTEN] Is South Africa losing the war on crime?

29 May 2018 11:53 AM

Is South Africa losing the fight against crime?

Bongani Bingwa speaks to a panel of guests on whether organised crime, gangsters, and syndicates have captured law enforcement agencies to work in their interests.

He speaks to award-winning journalist and best selling author of Ministry of Crime Mandy Wiener, and Head of the Governance, Crime & Justice Division at the Institute for Security Studies Gareth Newham.

I would never say that we are entirely losing the fight against crime.
— Mandy Weiner, Author and journalist

We still have the rule of law and there's still a functional democracy to a large degree.
— Mandy Weiner, Author and journalist

We should be concerned about the current state at play because it is so rife at the moment and it seems as though organised crime syndicates are suddenly running rampant at the moment.
— Mandy Weiner, Author

Head of the Governance, Crime & Justice Division at the Institute for Security Studies Gareth Newham says earning good money does not prevent people from becoming corrupt. In fact, one of the highest paid police officers Jackie Selebi was charged with corruption.

We have seen a bit of improvement in pay for South African police officials and the bottom line is that you are never going to pay enough for police officials.
— Gareth Newham, Head of the Governance, Crime & Justice Division at the Institute for Security Studies

Very hardworking, dedicated police officials don't get paid enough but if you are corrupt, disinterested police officer you will surely get paid enough.
— Gareth Newham, Head of the Governance, Crime & Justice Division at the Institute for Security Studies

Listen to the full discussion below...

Written by: Zanele Zama