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{
    "id": 107327,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/107327/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 323,
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    "content": "the new Constitution that we will have. In the US they have a federal system of witness protection programme. When you look at particular States like Illinois, they have been affected so badly by crime and gangster activities. They have had a bad history and they have gone ahead to have State witnesses protection schemes, apart from the federal system. The suggestion I want to make is that we must create a law that will apply across the country, but let us put it in place with the counties in mind. Let us broaden the parameters of this law to give effect in the 47 counties that we anticipate will be created under the new Constitution to enable these counties to run independent programmes. We already know, even without hazarding much, that there are specific areas in this country where organized crime is a big threat to security. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you look at the duties which the counties have given under the Draft Constitution, it is possible to create within this law something that will enable them to handle specific problems such as organized crime within their areas. I would also want to point out that in the US there are grants that are given from the central government to the States to run the federal agencies that deal with witness protection. I would like to see, within this law, a system in which the fund that will be established, and this board that is being established, will enable counties which are affected by organized crime to access this funding and protect witnesses. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, every time we have had elections in this country there have been particular areas, where you will find violence of a certain nature, and it is basically tribal. I did say that we should add this to the list that my colleagues have been talking about. We need to create a mechanism within this Bill that will allow the trickle down effect of funds to be felt all the way. Even in areas where organized crime is not prevalent, we have gangs which engage in cattle rustling as a trade. In these borderline areas, like in outlying districts, we will have counties. The revenue which will come from those counties may not be sufficient to sustain protection of witnesses who could know or could help people arrest criminals who are involved in cattle rustling. We must find a mechanism within this Act. We must be inventive. We must think again. At the Committee Stage, I would request the Attorney-General, which is easier from our side, to move the necessary amendments to make a general provision, so that funds will move down to those areas and be helpful where it is required. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to make a third suggestion to this Bill. In Canada, there was a very big public uproar when a witness, who had been protected and, therefore, his identity was properly concealed, committed a crime. Although you could say it was not a very serious crime in its nature, this witness was convicted of drunken driving. But because he was a witness in another case, where he was useful, his identity was hidden. His identity was hidden so well that when he committed another crime of drunken driving, this time actually killing somebody, the same witness protection programme was not willing to disclose the identity to enable prosecution to take place."
}