Durban – The KZN Executive Council has approved a decision by the Department of Community Safety and Liaison to establish a new Community Safety Intervention Unit (CSIU).
This comes after safety challenges faced by amakhosi and izinduna (traditional leaders) in recent months.
The Mercury has recently reported on the murders of amakhosi and izinduna in the province. Last month KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka convened an imbizo with amakhosi and izinduna to discuss the killings of traditional leaders.
A statement today by the provincial government, said the new unit will work in conjunction with law-enforcement agencies to deal with the specific challenges related to the safety and security of traditional leaders, izinduna as well as other safety challenges facing the province.
“The Executive Council is concerned about the increase in violent attacks on Amakhosi and Izinduna as well as the safety of KwaZulu-Natal citizens in general,” said the statement.
According to the provincial government, the new Community Safety Unit will play a significant role in complementing the work of the South African Police Services in bringing peace and guaranteeing the safety of citizens.
The CSIU will undertake the following activities:
- Conduct security analysis related to any incident, threat or instability;
- Engage law-enforcement to facilitate appropriate deployment and investigation;
- Conduct analysis of underlying causes in the environment and formulate intervention approaches;
- Review the security situation on an ongoing basis and facilitate remedial/adjusted measures where necessary.
THE MERCURY