DURBAN - Amid social media outcries about more bodies still laying around, unaccounted for, the IFP says a trio of its local leaders returned empty-handed after setting out into the bushes somewhere north of Durban on a search mission.
Led by the party’s KwaZulu-Natal legislature member, Joshua Mazibuko, the team – including councillors Ntombifuthi Gumede and Thembinkosi Biyela – scoured the area but to no avail, the party said.
“Following consistent cries on social media about bodies said to be in the vicinity of Queen Nandi Drive, eThekwini leaders of the IFP drove to the area on a fact-finding mission. (This was conducted in order) to alert the relevant authorities if anything was found,” said Mazibuko.
“We conducted searches in the bushes on both sides of Queen Nandi Drive, as well as in the nearby area, but no bodies were found. (The team) proceeded to Greenwood Park Police Station, where the SAPS official (there) denied any knowledge of allegations about bodies. The IFP delegation then proceeded to KwaMashu Police Station. (A brigadier-ranked officer) informed the delegation that last Monday, the SAPS Dog Unit went into the area and found three bodies. He said he did not believe that there were any other bodies in that area,” Mazibuko said.
“(The officer) further told the delegation that the worst-hit (area) was Phoenix, where more than 20 bodies of African people had been found. He also stated that some of these people were murdered without having taken part in the looting and criminality that engulfed eThekwini.
“We appeal to anyone with information about any undiscovered bodies, to please share this information with the police, rather than spreading such stories on social media (and thus possibly rendering them as ‘fake news’),” said Mazibuko.
“Law enforcement agencies should work around the clock to apprehend all criminals, looters and murderers, and swiftly bring them to justice. Communities, too, must play their role in furnishing law-enforcement agencies with information of any wrongdoing and criminality.
“Likewise, we strongly and unconditionally condemn all forms of violence, lawlessness, theft, looting and racist attitudes and acts, regardless of who perpetrates them. Whoever feels aggrieved in any way must approach the law-enforcement agencies or leaders and desist from engaging in acts that may exacerbate the already volatile situation. We call on all leaders of our people to work together to root out all forms of evil and to restore peace, harmony, and the respect for the human rights of all citizens,” said Mazibuko.
THE MERCURY