Verslag - NG Kerk in Oos-Kaapland

We therefore urge the President as head of Government to take a firm lead in this matter. We see violent
crime as a cancer that must be restrained and cured as soon as possible. If he does this, we believe that he
will be able to count on the support of all reasonable citizens of our country.
A COMPLEX CHALLENGE
We are indeed aware of the extremely complex background and nature of crime and violence in South
Africa. While we are convinced that ordinary criminality is at present the biggest problem we know that a
series of other factors also play a role. South Africa s history has led to violence being part of our culture;
we know that poverty and unemployment are major contributing factors; we believe that the large
differential between rich and poor in South Africa inflames human desires and greed which can sometimes
lead to crime and violence; we know that transformation like the one we have experienced can lure
some people into lawlessness, corruption and greed; we also know that factors such as alcohol and drug
abuse, disrupted family life and a weakening of moral values are bigger problems than people often realise.
The roots of criminality and violence are often even deeper than the factors mentioned above. The truth is
that it is sometimes strengthened by practices and laws that are legally entrenched and that are viewed by
many as being normal and right. It is also true that a community often creates its own criminals and
perpetrators of violence. We are convinced that a deeper understanding of how criminality and violence in
our society function is urgently needed and we would like to cooperate in efforts to try and understand the
intricacy of the problem and its solution.
We are also convinced that the extent and difficulty of these problems are such that no one institution in our
country the Government included can solve this problem alone. All of us will have to help.
THE CHURCH S PLEDGE
While we point out the responsibility of the Government to maintain law and order, we acknowledge that we
as churches also carry an immense responsibility. We admit our own failures in this regard. Had we done
our work with greater diligence and faith, the problem may well have been less severe today. As leaders we
resolve to take up the responsibility in this regard with our congregations and congregational leaders. We
believe that churches have an important role to play in:
proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ which should lead to the creation of a society built on love,
peace, justice, and security;
appreciation for the dignity of all people and the establishing of respect for others, their bodies and
possessions;
the formation of sound moral values in keeping the Gospel s understanding of what is right and wrong;
the formation of healthy families;
the caring for poor, needy and unemployed persons in a way that affirms their dignity;
the development of people and even job creation where possible;
offering help to people who are addicted to alcohol and dependent on drugs;
offering support to victims of crime and violence and
the rehabilitation and healing of law offenders.
We also believe that congregations can play an important role in the formation of healthy, violence-free
local communities and we will call upon our congregations to take up this responsibility with other
congregations in their area. This can be done by giving attention to specific social and community
problems, by supporting the local police and hospitals and through regular discussions with local
government officials. By doing this we can make a major difference.
We will ask our congregations to ensure that they give sufficient attention to all these matters in their
ministry.
Because we understand our dependence on the Lord, we also ask congregations to pray regularly in their
services for these matters. We want to request congregations to pray faithfully and persistently in 2007 for a
peaceful and violence-free SA. While we ask the Lord for his presence and intervention we also begin to
understand better our own responsibility.
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