March 2007

Media coverage of the country’s shocking crime statistics – locally and internationally – is extensive. Crime at one level or other has taken a personal toll on many South Africans and while this is of significant social concern and is not in any way being negated by the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA), of particular relevance to South Africa’s tourism and related sectors is the increase in crime targeting tourists.

Whether government cares to admit it or not, lawlessness is a deterrent to international tourism and long term industry growth and, in the run up to the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010, it must be proactively addressed. As a result, SAVRALA members have added their voices to the many thousands of corporate and individual South Africans demanding a more forceful and positive approach to reducing crime in South Africa.

For the car rental industry, vehicle and related crime remains a constant challenge. Between January and November 2006, it’s estimated that vehicle theft cost car rental companies an astounding R32.6-million. For an industry that is largely self-insured, this represents a significant amount. Other factors facing this sector are credit card fraud, fraudulent voucher transactions and vehicle accidents which, unfortunately, translate into rental rate increases to the end user.

SAVRALA is already working closely with national and regional local law enforcements agencies, government departments as well as Business against Crime to find solutions to combat these criminal activities, most of which are orchestrated by professional crime syndicates.

According to the general manager of the association’s rental section, however, “to safeguard our local and international customer bases, more must be done.”

Thabo Mbeki on crime …
In his State of the National address delivered on 9 February, President Thabo Mbeki said that “South Africans must continue and further intensify the struggle against crime” and he undertook to implement a detailed programme “to improve the safety and security of all citizens and communities.”

Government had already surpassed the targeted figure of 152 000 police officers employed in the South African Police Service “and, while we have improved the training programme, we recognise the fact that the impact of this is not yet high enough for everybody to feel a better sense of safety and security.”

And so say all of us!