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'we WANT THE BRIGHTEST TO HELP FIGHT CRIME'

11 January 2010. Minister of police, Nathi Mthethwa addressing the National Press Club at the Sheraton hotel in Pretoria, on Firearms amnesty procedures that are going to me followed when the firearms are received from the owners. Photo by Bathini Mbatha
11 January 2010. Minister of police, Nathi Mthethwa addressing the National Press Club at the Sheraton hotel in Pretoria, on Firearms amnesty procedures that are going to me followed when the firearms are received from the owners. Photo by Bathini Mbatha

POLICE Minister Nathi Mthethwa has urged South Africa's youth to consider careers in the police force to help the battle against crime.

POLICE Minister Nathi Mthethwa has urged South Africa's youth to consider careers in the police force to help the battle against crime.

Police recruitment would seek to increase the yearly intake by 10percent next year, he said.

Mthethwa said a crucial element of the recruitment drive was to attract the brightest of the youth to enlist.

Addressing the Future Leaders' conference in Durban at the weekend, Mthethwa spoke strongly against youth being involved in illegal drugs.

"Our premise as a ministry is based on the realisation that unless we engage young people on challenges facing them, including crime, it will be difficult to effectively address these challenges," said Mthethwa.

He said his department's crime analysis over the past months found that about 70percent of crime was concentrated in three provinces - KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape.

"A further analysis tells us that crime is committed by the same offenders again and again, representing a very small percentage of the population," he said.

Mthethwa also underplayed reports that terrorist organisations were targeting the World Cup.

He said South African security agencies were on top of the situation and ready for any eventuality.

Science and technology matters took centre stage at this year's conference when those attending were issued with e-mail addresses by a youth-owned company, AmaQhawe Technologies.

Delegate Themba Gcabashe from AmaQhawe said it was important that the youth were provided with the latest developments in computer technologies.

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