Durban - Following the killing of five people in Driefontein, last month, the KwaDukuza Municipality mayor, Lindile Nhaca, says she will intensify action against criminality in the area.
Nhaca was speaking at the ‘Prayer Against Violence’ event held at the Driefontein Community Hall on Saturday.
“We are disturbed and deeply concerned about the recent senseless killings, which took away the lives of at least five people, including a woman who was allegedly stabbed to death. What concerns us the most is that these criminals are still at large. In view of these incidents, we will be broadening our focus and reach in this area to ensure that we open a new chapter of peace and economic prosperity.”
Nhaca committed to collaborate with various stakeholders to urgently address criminality in the area.
One of the primary interventions that they will undertake, in partnership with the police and the Department of Community Safety & Liaison, will be to ensure that they launch a functional Community Policing Forum.
“We note that the Driefontein area is approximately 17km away from the Umhlali Police station, which then renders police responses to crime inefficient and therefore making it difficult to combat criminals. I will be instituting a special request with the Provincial Police Commissioner in a bid to solicit a satellite station in Driefontein accordingly to address the response time for the Umhlali Police Station to report to crime scenes,” she said.
She added that reports indicated there were several illicit taverns operating in the area, which contributed to the escalation of violence.
“We will ensure that we come down hard against illicit taverns and shebeens, which do not comply with the law.”
She said she will mobilise the Umhlali SAPS together with the KwaDukuza Crime Prevention officers to patrol regularly as part of ensuring police visibility.
This will be coupled with the launch of local street committees so that every community member can have a role to play in combating crime in the area.
“We will also work to ensure that all law enforcement resources are organised and agencies are duly deployed to safeguard the community.
“We also take note of the strong allegations of drug-use and dealings that are associated with the recent killings. I will be reporting this information to the relevant stakeholders.
“We remain confident and more determined that the fight against criminality will end given our collective efforts and commitments from various stakeholders,” said Nhaca.