Mbeki announces launch of a "war" on poverty.

from AFP via Google

After visits to poor areas last week, the president of South Africa announces a new scheme to fight poverty in the country. - Kale

PRETORIA — South Africa, the continent's economic powerhouse, will next month launch a nationwide campaign against poverty, President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday.

"The war on poverty campaign will be launched in all the (nine) provinces during August. The most deprived wards and households have been identified and will be visited ... to identify needs," he said at a media briefing on the outcome of a cabinet meeting last week.

"A war-room on poverty has also been established," and the campaign is coordinated by the office of the vice president, he said.

More than four million South Africans live below the poverty line, according to government figures.

The government has also set a target to reduce the country's crime rate by between seven and 10 percent for the remainder of the tenure of this administration, in a related strand.

The targeted "priority" crimes are murder, rape, violent assault and robbery, he said.

South Africa has one of the world's highest crime rates with some 50 people murdered a day.

A review of the criminal justice system and tackling of crimes among children are also underway in the country, he added.

There are 3,478 children in detention, 820 of them sentenced and kept in correctional facilities, he said.

Finally, Mbeki, who leaves office next year after serving two terms, said that all the venues for hosting the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup will be ready to meet the deadline set by FIFA.

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