Notwithstanding the fact that in the past five years progress has been made in reducing the levels of serious crime such as murder, aggravated robbery, and crimes against vulnerable groups, especially women, children and people with disabilities, crime levels remain unacceptably high, especially serious and violent crimes. The opposition needs to be reminded. They consciously or unconsciously become nostalgic for the long- past apartheid set-up. [Interjections.] During this time, crime was minimal or even nonexistent in the protected white areas.
This was the time of the Group Areas Act, the period of permits for Africans, the period of the "nagpas" [night pass] ... [Interjections.] ... when just walking in town at night was a criminal offence that could land you in jail, where you could then be sold to farmers at Bethal to dig "mazambane" [potatoes]. [Laughter.]
On the other hand, we had a certain level of crime in the townships and villages. Most of the crimes committed against us in the townships were by the regime itself. [Interjections.] I don't know if it would be parliamentary, but I need to say it.
HON MEMBERS: Yes, say it!