Police crime scene experts processing a scene in Amaoti in Inanda, north of Durban where three men were shot dead allegedly by a notorious local gang on Monday. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
Image: Picture: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
The escalating violent crime in Amaoti and surrounding areas in Inanda, north of Durban which has seen recent murders has prompted an urgent call for government intervention.
Six people were murdered between Sunday and Monday in the area. The community has raised concern about gangs operating in the area and there has also been reports of vigilante incidents.
Premier Thami Ntuli held a community anti-crime imbizo in February.
Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Liaison, Mbali Frazer, has called for a coordinated government response to tackle crime and restore order.
“We remain extremely worried about the violent crime perpetrated against innocent people in Amaoti, Inanda, and other areas,” Frazer said in a statement on Tuesday.
She emphasised the need for the provincial government to play a proactive role in addressing the crisis.
“The Department of Community Safety and Liaison, together with the Office of the Premier, should be on the side of local vulnerable members of the community during this period.”
Frazer said that the Premier’s Office must take the lead in coordinating government resources to combat crime.
“The coordinating role of the Office of the Premier becomes critical in terms of the deployment of resources and the rollout of tangible programmes that must end the pervasive culture of violence in the affected areas.”
The rise of youth gangs, drug trafficking, and extortion has worsened crime in the region, according to Frazer.
“This could be traced to the high school dropout rates and the lack of recreational and skills development activities for the youth.”
She called for an integrated approach between the Premier’s Office and the Department of Community Safety and Liaison to combat crime while also addressing its psychological impact on communities.
“The resources in the possession of both departments must be used to make a difference for the vulnerable members of communities, especially women, children, the youth, and senior citizens,” she added.
While acknowledging the crucial role of the police, Frazer stressed that government departments must also take responsibility for crime prevention.
“The lack of action and tangible programmes in the area could create a pool of young people from whom hardened criminals recruit,” she warned.
She called for the urgent establishment of a central safety coordination team within the Department of Community Safety and Liaison.
“The Department of Community Safety and Liaison must establish a central safety coordination team with safety initiatives being introduced and implemented urgently.”
Frazer said the committee will visit the affected areas soon to assess the situation and ensure that interventions are put in place.
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