thugs granted bail a worry for crime bodies  
10 July 2008 
 
They are so concerned that they are now planning to research the ins and outs of calling for a moratorium on bail for serious and violent crimes, in KwaZulu-Natal as a pilot project. "We realise this might be difficult as there could be constitutional issues. But we want to find a way of helping the police and the prosecuting authorities to find solutions," said Brian Jones, the founder of the Hillcrest-based Community Intelligence Centre (CIC).  'We need to understand the challenges that the authorities face'   "We need to understand the challenges that the authorities face and then decide what the next step should be."

The suggestion for a moratorium has come from Quinton Rutherford, a founder of Amanzimtoti's Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO).  His idea has the backing of the CIC as well as Justin Foxton, founder of Stop Crime Say Hello organisation of Umhlanga.

Rutherford, Jones and Foxton recently held a brain-storming session to discuss their concerns and to see how they can help.  "We have first-hand experience of this problem," said Rutherford.  "It's frustrating to make arrests only to see people get out on bail and then have them re-offend. Often suspects progress to the more serious crimes," he said.

The CCPO was formed in 2007 after a spate of murders in the area and Rutherford believes most people will support the idea.

Foxton said the organisations were "absolutely in one voice to refine systems that will combat crime more effectively".

They needed to work with all the various authorities "to come up with more robust ways of ascertaining whether suspects should be granted bail. There is no doubt that there are criminals who are being granted bail who then go on to re-offend". His organisation focused on how to prevent crime happening in the first place, he said. He felt it started with people having respect for themselves and one another.  He said South Africa had developed unique circumstances.

"Why is it there is this unbelievable anger? We've been a free democracy for 14 years and yet seen a steady increase in violence. Why is it people go into houses and steal a television and then return to rape and murder? We've got to start with the small stuff to make a big difference and ask ourselves what can we do to put ourselves on the front foot.  If all people do is to say hello to one another, that's a great start in breaking the bubble of anger."

Anyone interested in helping with the research can contact Rutherford at 083 300 2401 and Jones at 083 799 1914 and Foxton via his website www.sayhello.co.za.

This article was originally published on page 8 of Daily News on July 10, 2008

Barbara Cole,   www.iol.co.za