DURBAN - Parties, labour unions and analysts have urged Premier Sihle Zikalala to come up with decisive and clear plans to reduce crime levels in the province.
The premier is set to deliver the State of the Province Address (Sopa) at the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds on Thursday.
All the commentators agreed that it was a serious indictment for the premier that the province’s Inanda and uMlazi were declared as the country’s crime capitals.
Cosatu provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize said part of the key points he was expecting the premier to touch on were safety and security – a serious problem not only for residents but also for economic recovery.
Mkhize said if the premier wanted to grow the economy he must tell the public how his government would guarantee the safety of people and businesses who had for far too long been harassed by business forums, especially in construction, adding that companies were leaving the province. He said Cosatu expected Zikalala to speak about SA Petroleum Refineries (Sapref) which recently announced it would halt operations at the end of March which he described as a massive job bloodbath. He said more than 3 000 workers were expected to lose their jobs.
“We want the premier to boost investor confidence by detailing a plan to ensure that terrible events like the July unrest never happen again. He must also explain what plans he has for youth unemployment.”
University of KwaZulu-Natal economics lecturer, Dr Sanele Gumede, said by addressing economic and unemployment issues the province would eventually see crime levels decrease.
Dr Lubna Nadvi, a political science lecturer also from UKZN, said the premier must focus on social cohesion matters to bridge the racial gap created by last year’s unrest. The government should also address infrastructure and killings which have ravaged the province.
“Although crime-fighting was mainly a national government issue, we expect the premier and provincial police commissioner to come up with plans to fight crime.”
IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said the party expected plans regarding water shortages, sanitation, roads and the housing backlog.
“Also, the exact deadline for the implementation of lifestyle audits, and his plans to get rid of corrupt elements in the government relating to tenders and nepotism.”
DA provincial leader Francois Rodgers said his party expected Zikalala to outline what was being done to ensure that the province’s people were never again abandoned in their hour of need, as they were during the insurrection and anarchy in July 2021.
A report on the carnage said ANC factional issues played a key role. The DA said the panel report on the July unrest said it was not a matter of “if” this kind of unrest will happen again, but “when”.
“He must also tell us when those behind the unrest will be arrested and charged; and what he is going to do to develop the provincial economy, particularly after the unrest. Business and investment are pulling out of our province daily, or collapsing due to the stagnant and declining economy.”
Other issues of concern to parties were unemployment – at 48.6% – and the provision of housing and problems facing municipalities.
The EFF said Zikalala owed citizens explanations on four key things which needed urgent attention.
Provincial chairperson Vusi Khoza said his party’s main worry was the levels of crime. A clear plan to deal with persisting murders and other violent crimes, especially in schools, was expected. Other issues were homelessness and landlessness.
Daily News