Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-10-13

The 35th Annual Crime Stoppers International Conference was officially opened by the president of Crime Stoppers International (CSI), Alexander MacDonald at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Monday.

“Our mission, ladies and gentlemen is to mobilize the world to report crime anonymously, because we all know that crime has no borders,” MacDonald told almost 600 delegates who have attended the conference, which is being held for the first time on the African continent.

MacDonald says it’s time the world comes together to tackle the challenges collectively faced in combating criminal activities.

MacDonald is one of almost 60 delegates who will be speaking at the three-day event.

Among the opening speakers was prominent Palestinian activist and former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Diana Buttu.

Buttu highlighted the crime against Palestinians by Israel comparing the current situation in the occupied territories to that of Apartheid South Africa.

Buttu described the Crime Stoppers conference as a natural extension of the type of work done by herself and other human rights lawyers which was to hold governments accountable for their human rights violations.

“Crime is not an issue that affects only local communities. I wish all delegates much success with their deliberations,” she said.

On Tuesday, Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela will address two events on issues of good governance and the fight against corruption. The addresses are also part of her office’s constitutional mandate of being accessible to all persons and communities.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will also attend the conference on Tuesday to pray for peace and deliver a short message.

Meanwhile, head of Crime Line South Africa, Yusuf Abramjee, has told local and international delegates whistle blowing should become the moral duty of all citizens worldwide.

Abramjee has also called on people to unite against international terror, adding the world must say no to the killing of innocent civilians, be it by terror groups or government.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)