WRITTEN QUESTION P-1662/01

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council

(1 June 2001)

Subject: Insecurity in South Africa murder attempts aimed at the resident Portuguese community

The way in which the apartheid system in South Africa was brought to an end, the entire transition process and the effective functioning of democratic institutions over the last few years have received widespread international recognition, accompanied by the championing of Nelson Mandela, together with admiration for, and appreciation of, his example. No attempt will be made to challenge or undermine this fact.

However, in more recent years a wave of violent crime (apparently linked to serious social problems) has been seriously disrupting South African society and has been aimed in particular at members of the country's Portuguese community, who are mainly involved in running small businesses.

Last weekend witnessed the murder in Cape Town of yet another Portuguese small-business man, Noel Bernardo Nunes, 65 years of age and resident in South Africa for 40 years. Since the start of the year, about 10 Portuguese have already been murdered and, according to press reports, 388 Portuguese have been killed over the last four years in this wave of criminal violence which particularly affects the Johannesburg area.

The justified alarm which these incidents have been causing amongst the Portuguese community prompted the latter to organise street demonstrations a few months ago, in which they called for appropriate protection. However, a series of misunderstandings and a failure of comprehension on the part of sectors within the South African Government turned the initiative into a regrettable dispute. The matter is obviously a sensitive one from the political point of view, although the most important thing is that effective action should be taken to protect people's lives.

The Portuguese citizens in question are also citizens of the European Union, which is well-placed to approach the South African authorities and to offer the necessary assistance.

Is the Council monitoring the escalation of violent crime in South Africa which has resulted in the deaths of so many Portuguese and which is causing justified alarm? What action has it already taken and is it intending to take in future over this matter vis-à-vis the South African Government?

Reply

(21 November 2001)

In reply to the question by the Honourable Parliamentarian, the Council can confirm that it is monitoring the situation and will continue to do so concerning the escalation of violent crime in South Africa. As the Honourable Parliamentarian is not doubt also aware, the escalation of violent crime in South Africa is a general problem that is affecting all races, nationalities and social strata present in the country and not only the resident Portuguese community. South Africa is however an independent country with a democratically elected government and the Council remains convinced that the South African authorities are doing their outmost to control this unfortunate situation in the country and to respect the human rights situation.

The Council is however also aware of the difficult economic situation that South Africa finds itself in and it has therefore since several years financed the European Programme for Reconstruction and Development (EPRD), which is among the largest development programmes that the EU is financing to an individual country. Among the many programmes financed by the EU under the EPRD, several are aimed at improving the social structure in South Africa such as improved health care, improved housing and the fight against drugs-related problems. One of the programmes is also aimed at strengthening the capacities and institutional development for the services of the South African police. Through these positive actions, the EU aims at improving the quality of life in South Africa and thereby also reducing the level of violence.