Drug abuse said to be one of the primary drivers of crime in South Africa

By Khanyisa Tabata
08 September 2011

The Police Ministry today released crime statistics that indicate a more than 10-percent increase in drug-related crimes across the country.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille says substance abuse is the primary driver to other criminal activities.

Zille says she will seek a meeting with President Jacob Zuma to discuss stringent intervention measures to urgently stamp out the scourge.

Meanwhile, AfriForum welcomed the crime statistics release, but says that the figures are no reason to boast.

The civil rights organisation’s Cornelius van Rensburg says the fact that there are 42 murders happening a day is a serious indictment against the government.

Van Rensburg maintains that rural crime is still a serious problem.