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Malala was unfair to Mbeki

CONCERNED: President Thabo Mbeki. Pic. Trevor Samson. © BD.
CONCERNED: President Thabo Mbeki. Pic. Trevor Samson. © BD.

Justice Malala's column on Sunday refers.

Justice Malala's column on Sunday refers.

I am not a Thabo Mbeki fan or an ANC member and I am not in the habit of defending them. Like Malala, I am not happy with the ever-increasing crime rate. I have been directly affected by crime and am not happy with some of our laws and how our police deal with crime.

About Malala's explanation of what happened during the president's interview with Tim Modise. Surely Malala recalls that Mbeki had to comment on a statement by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, conveyed by Modise, that the government is failing to fight and dispel the perception that the country is a hub of crime.

Mbeki, pictured, agreed that the country is failing to dispel the perception.

Nothing in what Modise conveyed was about denying the existence of crime.

I also don't think Buthelezi believes that Mbeki is in denial about crime. The example of walking to the SABC studios was given to illustrate that things are not as bad as reported in some sections of the media, especially the international media.

Not so long ago, the country had to convince Fifa that a crime-free Soccer World Cup can happen after a lot of media reports. I thought the situation had been dealt with fully then.

Malala must remember that he works for a national newspaper and there are people who take him seriously. He enjoys a unique position that he can positively use to make a positive contribution to the reconstruction of the country.

The emotions and energy he invests in his column could be better used in offering alternatives to current crime combating strategies. Of course it is not his job, but being the patriot he claims to be, I hope I am not asking him for too much.

Tambani Matumba, Makhado

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