“In our current state of anxiety about crime and our desperation for a quick fix, we cannot make the error to make decisions that would endanger the fundamental rights and freedoms of the wider society.” That’s the warning from the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC).

“With the increasing levels of crime, has come increased levels of fear and panic amongst the population, which has been accompanied by a lack of balance and reasoning in comments from various sectors of the society.

“Neither should politicians attempt to score cheap political points, as this can only serve to escalate an already volatile situation,” the party said in a statement issued on Monday.

“Regardless of our feelings of fear and concern, we cannot condone the use of one evil to root out another evil.

In 1995, NJAC predicted that crime would increase by one thousand per cent if the social and economic policies did not change.

“Since then, crime is a consequence of the structural problems which exist and need attention.

“Such problems include unemployment, drug abuse, alienation from the political process, the nature of our economic system, lack of participation and consultation and the spiritual demise. These are all factors which lend themselves to frustration, bitterness, anger and the survival ethic, all of which contribute to the nature and incidence of crime in our society,” according to NJAC.

“The solution to crime does not lie in the provision of more arms and ammunition, more vehicles, more squads and more equipment to the police. It has more to do with what assurance of happiness the State can provide for its citizens.

“It has to do with a concept of national security that goes beyond the confines of narrow militaristic assurances and punitive sanctions.”