Johannesburg Public Safety MMC Councillor Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has rejected claims that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) was involved in an operation during which an alleged drug dealer was allegedly killed.
According to Tshwaku, the JMPD had no prior knowledge of the operation and played no role in it, responding solely to a request for backup from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“The JMPD only responded to a request for backup from the South African Police Services (SAPS) when the community started revolting because of the incident. Timeslive and other news agencies are encouraged to get their facts straight before going public. We encourage the law to take its course and for all those involved to be held accountable.”
The statement follows confirmation by ActionSA that a shooting incident occurred during an anti-drug operation in Ekurhuleni, in which a Nigerian national suspected of drug trafficking was shot.
The operation was joined by ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, who spoke of the incident and warned of violent resistance from drug syndicates.
“I can confirm that there was a shooting incident during an anti-drug operation yesterday. A Nigerian suspect was shot.”
Khumalo said the authorities continue to face pushback from organised criminal networks operating within communities.
“We are facing violent resistance from drug syndicates, but we must push forward to rid our communities of this scourge.”
In a statement, ActionSA said drug syndicates have for years terrorised communities through violence, intimidation and disregard for the law.
“For too long, drug syndicates have terrorised our communities through violence, intimidation and total disregard for the law.”
The party reiterated its support for firm and lawful action against organised crime.
“ActionSA will continue to support every decisive and lawful measure to dismantle this scourge and confront the violent resistance of criminals who have grown comfortable believing they are untouchable. That era must and will end.”
ActionSA added that safety and law enforcement form a central pillar of its 10-point Action Plan to Fix Ekurhuleni.
“As part of ActionSA’s 10-Point Action Plan to Fix Ekurhuleni, safety and law enforcement take centre stage, allowing us to deploy every available resource to rid the city of the lawlessness that has turned it into a de facto mafia state.”
The incident has further attracted criticism from EFF National Organiser Sinawo Thambo, who said:
“If Action SA is allowed to have its mayoral candidates lead ‘anti-drug’ operations and form part of the killing of suspects, then all political parties will think a successful campaign means you must buy guns and shoot those you suspect of crime to prove your commitment.”
“Action SA is proposing that for a political party to show its commitment against crime- you must show us how many dead bodies of criminals you can produce, ” said Thambo.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star