ALL South Africans are deeply distressed about the high crime rate. The ruling party knew that crime was increasing in our homes, business areas and rape was on the increase too, but they suppressed crime statistics before the elections.

ALL South Africans are deeply distressed about the high crime rate. The ruling party knew that crime was increasing in our homes, business areas and rape was on the increase too, but they suppressed crime statistics before the elections.

How cunning.

Rape statistics confirm that women are victims of a violent male-dominated society. Women do not enjoy being raped, no matter what Julius Malema says. All women in political organisations, civil society and NGOs must unite to fight rape and all other forms of abuse.

The patriarchal society encourages rape. We must show disgust at men who beat their wives because "they cannot cook". A woman's place is everywhere, not only in the kitchen. Women must also stand up to men who give jobs in exchange for sexual favours.

We must also carefully consider the slogan "shoot to kill" because trigger-happy police officers can abuse it. A woman was widowed in Gauteng and the minister of police must now pay her R2,2million. How sad that Rosemarie Gugger and her children lost a husband and father because of the slogan "shoot first and ask questions later".

The Police have the option to "shoot to kill" when under threat. This rhetoric will not solve the high rate of crime. We must work smart by infiltrating crime syndicates, removing illegal firearms from criminals and hit squads in the drug-infested communities and taxi industry.

Because we cannot police every street, we must infiltrate local crime syndicates.

Sindisiwa Dandala Cope KZN, Durban