The National Security Strategy for the period between 2019 and 2024 had warned the government that South Africa’s main project of democratic dispensation remained to be ensuring a better life for all citizens.

The document released on Tuesday by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said if political emancipation was translated into economic well-being for all citizens, there was a need in turn to understand the direct relationship between security and development.

“It must be emphasised that, an absence of security gives rise to low economic development, weak state institutions and an incapacitated state.

“The converse also holds true; stability and security create conditions conducive to democracy, economic development, prosperity and the well-being of the citizens,” reads the document.

The National Security Strategy observed that South Africans continued to face serious threats to their wellbeing.

“Organised crime and general high levels of crime, food insecurity, bio-safety and diseases, gender based violence terrorism are amongst such noted threats.”

It also said there was an emergence of disregard for the authority of the State by some in the South African society.

“This results in lawlessness and is exacerbated by the slow and inefficient application of justice. It creates opportune conditions for criminal elements and negative forces to operate.”

It also said the threat to socio-economic stability was caused by, among others, violent community protests as well as instability in the labour, transport and education sector.

“An increase in organised crime in the country continues to be a threat to the well-being and safety of all South Africans. Crime syndicates may change tactics to employ even more dangerous and sophisticated weapons systems.”

The strategy flagged gangsterism and warned that if it was not addressed, gangs will continue to occupy social spaces and create no-go areas and in turn fuel vigilantism as community’s attempt to reclaim spaces and protect themselves from crimes perpetrated by gangs.

It also named extortion as a threat along with substance abuse.

“There is an urgent need for South Africans to educate themselves about the dangers of the implications of substance abuse on morale fibre.”

The National Security Strategy further highlighted the challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment as the foremost challenges to the country.

“This weighs heavily on the social, political and economic fabric of the country. The official unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world. The economy is not big enough to absorb the working force.”

The document also said the increasing unemployment, poor skills and other lack of opportunities were national security concern to the country.

“The country’s youth is experiencing a number of challenges that results into them engaging in nefarious activities such as crime, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gender violence and more. Furthermore, they are also wittingly and unwittingly used by other forces for personal agendas such as political protests against the state or general crime such as sabotage to critical infrastructure and more.”

It warned that lack of or failure for government to intervene in the future of the South African youth through proper skilling and conducive environment to realise their dreams was the greatest threat not only to the country’s national security, but also to the survival of the South African nation.

The National Security Strategy said in addressing the threats, the government’s major project was to create a better life for all.

“If democratic South Africa’s major project is to create a better life for all, then our people are both the object of this project as well as a major resource for achieving it.”

While it concluded that South Africa remained a stable country, it had maintained that it faced a number of potential threats to its national security and interests.

“The risks to our national security through instability and insecurity are the under-pinning, causal issues that if unmitigated lead to the national security threats we have articulated above.”

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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