The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal says that it is shocked by the actions of a mob of community members at Copesville in Pietermaritzburg where two men suspected of housebreaking were attacked and burnt to death.
“We do not condone vigilantism and would urge people to work with the police and community structures to bring criminals to book. At the same time, we call on the police who are there to protect law-abiding citizens to respond swiftly and do their jobs when communities report criminal acts. It is when communities become frustrated with a lack of visible policing that they resort to vigilantism in order to protect themselves and their property.
Informal settlements have become havens for criminals to hide in and the police need to conduct unannounced raids, with the help of the Defence,
force to flush out those who are terrorising our communities,” said Mr
Blessed Gwala IFP Leader in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature,
“The MEC for Community Safety, Willies Mchunu and his team must be pro-active in coming up with operational plans that will give confidence to our people when it comes to their safety. The Department has a budget and personnel who should possess the required expertise to devise plans that will keep communities safe,” continued Mr Gwala.
“It does not help for the MEC and his top officials to go to these communities under heavy security, make speeches laden with promises and then nothing happens. Visible policing and swift responses by police will
encourage communities to work with the police as partners in fighting crime,” concluded Mr Gwala.
