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Mbeki speech to focus on poverty SA police boosted to tackle crime
(10 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 has promised to increase the size of the police force to tackle the high crime rate.
But he was expected to emphasise the fight against poverty and unemployment. He said there would be 180,000 police officers within three years, up from 152,000 at present.
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. "We... cannot claim the happiness that comes with freedom if communities live in fear," he said in his annual state of the nation address to parliament.
The issue has become the main talking point in the country, with Mr Mbeki accused of not doing enough. Mr Mbeki has been accused of not doing enough to cut crime.
The BBC's Peter Biles in South Africa correspondent says as the country prepares to host the 2010 football World Cup, the government is under pressure to tackle crime.
'Denial''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 ServiceMURDERS 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.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. Some African National Congress 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.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. 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."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."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.""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."