South Africa must now surely be rated as one of the least safe countries in the world.

South Africa must now surely be rated as one of the least safe countries in the world.

It is a place plagued by crime with the public having lost hope that it will ever be brought under control.

Despite the public outcry over the lawlessness that has plunged the country into cowboy territory, the government seems to be battling to stem the tide.

Last week's killing of a two-year-old girl during a robbery in Lyndhurst must have shocked and angered many. The bastards committed this callous deed only to make away with three cellphones and a video recorder.

This is outrageous.

Criminals now commit such acts with disdain and without fear of being arrested.

We have said it before and we say it again. The government must involve members of the defence force to help the police curb this spiralling menace.

Otherwise the nation will remain in the grip of fear.