Durban — Reacting to the shooting deaths of 11 people in two separate mass shootings in KwaZulu-Natal in the space of 15 hours, communications specialist Anneke Burns has said “civil society needs a voice”.
Burns said that reports of the latest spate of murders are sending shockwaves through South Africa, and reveal the need for civic bodies to come to the fore, and make their voices heard.
“We have a role to play, as civil society, in educating communities about the true impact of the issues facing society, such as violent crime and substance use,” Burns said.
“It’s not enough to recognise the factors that contribute to violence in our society, we have to do something about it.
“We need to educate society about the true cost of maladaptive behaviour, and this needs to happen before people fall into detrimental, and criminal behaviour.
“The time is truly upon us to take a different course.”
Burns said that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civic bodies need to embolden their voices, to help guide the country in the right direction.
“At this point, it’s obvious that the government needs us as civil society to help it in whatever way we can, so I urge the public to support NGOs working to build safer communities.
“I also urge NGOs to embolden their voices as leaders in civil society, to turn the corner and get South Africa back on track to a brighter future,” Burns said.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said that on Saturday at 1.30pm, a group of men were sitting on the veranda of a tuck shop at Ndwedwe Mission when they were attacked by gunmen.
“The suspects opened fire on the group who were drinking alcohol while taking cover from the rain. The gunmen fled the scene directly afterwards.
“Four individuals were declared dead at the scene while three were taken to hospital for medical attention. One of the men later died in hospital. The dead are aged between 21 and 43 years,” Naicker said.
Naicker said that on Friday night, six people were shot while one was injured at an informal settlement in Clermont at 10.30pm.
“Seven men were in a room within the informal settlement when unknown persons opened fire into the abode,” Naicker said.
Charges of murder and attempted murder are being investigated by the Provincial Organised Crime Unit.
Daily News