Ek het vandag die petisie gekry deur email. Die heel eerste naam op die lys is die van 'n swarte (geken aan sy van natuurlik) en so ook omtrent 60% van die res van die name. Ons is almal dik vir die misdaad in Suid Afrika, nie net die witmense nie. 'n Onlangse studie het getoon dat Pres. Mbeki se gewildheid vinnig besig is om af te neem, juis oor geweld en werkloosheid. Lees maar self wat staan in die brief. Elaine Dear President Thabo Mbeki We are writing to let you know that we are not happy with the way criminals are dealt with in South Africa. In fact we don't think that there is a shortage of staff anymore, but it is the way in which the government deals with such issues and its perpetrators: 1) On March 30th 2000, a beautiful, loving, and caring mother-to-be of 8 months pregnant, was shot and badly injured by criminals trying to hijack her. Her baby was critically injured and delivered by caesarian section. This precious child may never walk. 2) A few weeks ago, between Pretoria and Johannesburg, people were hijacked and killed. 3) Other days, weeks, and months ago, young children, teenagers, and adults, were raped, killed, or hijacked. 4) A few weeks ago too, a 60-minute USA program, showed how bad rape in South Africa is. If we should compile a list of the crimes committed in this country for this year only, the list will be longer than Church Street in Pretoria. The point is: We are sick, tired and very, very Angry - not at the criminals - but at you and your government! 5) Tonight [7 July 2000], while rehearsing the wedding of a couple at church, a car was stolen off our parking lot at church. The owners are not members of the church, but they're a coloured couple from Pmb and they were not insured. How will you react if your pregnant wife or daughter is shot or one of your family members is killed for his/her motor vehicle? We want to see policemen and policewomen where people are. That is, at shopping malls, on the streets, on the highways, and mostly, patrolling in our communities. Please stop telling us that you don't have enough staff, we've heard enough about that. We want to see the death penalty reinstated and criminals punished appropriately. You have the police force, the military, the community and so forth, please Mr. President use these people. We want to feel safe whilst driving in South Africa; just like in other countries. We want to enjoy a walk down the streets of our country, we want to be secure when leaving our homes, leaving our wives and children at home, and mostly, we want to have a crime free South Africa. This is what we want you to see too: 1) Justice prevailing and the reinstatement of the death penalty; 2) Hijackers and rapists being severely punished with no bail for such people; 3) More job creation programs; 4) Schooling should be mandatory and enforced for all children younger than 18 years! Thank you for reading this urgent message. PLEASE TRY AND DO THE RIGHT THING - ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY ARE HELD HOSTAGE AS LONG AS CRIME IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE IN THIS MANNER!!