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Mbeki speech to focus on poverty | Mbeki speech to focus on poverty |
(30 minutes later) | |
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is delivering his annual state of the nation address in parliament, amid mounting concern over crime levels. | South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is delivering his annual state of the nation address in parliament, amid mounting concern over crime levels. |
But he was expected to emphasise the fight against poverty and unemployment. | But he was expected to emphasise the fight against poverty and unemployment. |
The BBC South Africa correspondent says as the country prepares to host the 2010 football World Cup, the government is under pressure to tackle crime. | The BBC South Africa correspondent says as the country prepares to host the 2010 football World Cup, the government is under pressure to tackle crime. |
The issue has become the main talking point in the country, with Mr Mbeki accused of not doing enough. | The issue has become the main talking point in the country, with Mr Mbeki accused of not doing enough. |
'Denial' | |
The murder rate is falling, according to official figures but there are still more than 18,000 murders each year - one of the highest rates in the world. | The murder rate is falling, according to official figures but there are still more than 18,000 murders each year - one of the highest rates in the world. |
Last month's killing of world-renowned historian David Rattray drew international attention to the issue. | Last month's killing of world-renowned historian David Rattray drew international attention to the issue. |
MURDERS PER YEAR 2005: 18,545 2004: 18,7932003: 19,8242002: 21,5532001: 21,4052000: 21,7581999: 22,6041998: 25,1271997: 24,4861996: 25,4701995: 26,8771994: 25,965 Source: SA Police Service | |
Some members of the country's business community have become increasingly anxious about the impact on investor confidence. | |
Opposition parties accuse the president of being in denial about the problem. | Opposition parties accuse the president of being in denial about the problem. |
Mr Mbeki recently said he did not think crime was out of control. | Mr Mbeki recently said he did not think crime was out of control. |
Some ANC officials feel that it is the white community which is more concerned about crime, while poverty is the most pressing issue for the black majority. | |
South Africa is enjoying record rates of economic growth but many ordinary South Africans say they are yet to feel the benefits. | |
Political analyst, and the president's brother, Moeletsi Mbeki says the two issues of poverty and crime are linked. | |
"I think the government is under a lot of pressure over crime from everybody in South Africa, " he told the BBC. | |
"The level of crime is totally unacceptable. | |
"Unemployment has risen over the past 15 - 20 years, so South Africans are getting poorer and the other reason is we're getting more inequality in South Africa." |