Four Officers Killed bad for South Africa

Dear Mr. Pillay

My name is Jim Horan and I live in the United States. I recently became aware of the incident in which four of your police officers were killed in a shoot-out with heavily armed gunmen.

I have researched this incident and others on line and I double checked the with the South African newspapers.

First your government and President Thabo Mbeki should be ashamed of yourselves to allow this level of violence to occur throughout your country.

It is very obvious to me that your government is loosing control of your country to thugs and violent criminals. Your government appears to be doing everything wrong to make your country nothing but a violent third world country.

You have disarmed the legal majority of your country (black and white), you have a weaken criminal justice system that criminals do not fear, you have serious political and corruption issues, police departments are understaffed with limited resources/budgets, etc., etc.

I know that the 2010 World Cup is planned for South Africa. Here in the United States we are watching your country to see how you are managing crime and violence.

I plan on emailing and voicing my opinion to everyone that I know in the USA and in Europe that violence is the norm in South Africa and that they should boycott the World Cup.

I also plan on emailing my United States Senator and Congressmen to advise them of the violent criminal issues that your country cannot control. I will also be requesting that the US State Department issue a caution travel advisory for high crime and violence in South Africa.

I do not know how your government can wake up each morning and look yourself in the mirror and think that you are doing a good job. You need to crack down and do something positive and proactive to control the violent criminals in your country.

If President Thabo Mbeki allows this type of violence to continue throughout South Africa and not cracked down on it, he should resign and allow someone who cares to do the job right.

Jim Horan
USA