KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, has made a passionate plea to the National Police Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, urging him to totally overhaul the police management in Wembezi Township, outside Estcourt, in the KZN Midlands.
The call comes amid the continued incident of politically related violence in the Wembezi/Estcourt prescient with at least 10 incidents of murder and attempted murder having taken place here in November alone (see Wembezi fact-file).
MEC Mchunu made this call during the debate on political tolerance held in partnership with Ukhozi FM at Estcourt townhall at the weekend.
These debates, which seek to find solution to areas affected by political intolerance and to work towards a free political activity in the build-up to 2014 elections, will be rolled out throughout KZN, targeting all the violence hotspots.
At the weekend the debate which saw an active participation of the local community, saw ANC’s Bheki Ntuli, IFP’s Mthembeni Majola and NFP’s Vikizitha Mlotshwa, fielding questions from the community members and from the programme host Mr Dumisani Ndimande.
Local community raised serious concerns about poor police response to incidents of violence and the non-prosecution and unsuccessful prosecution of alleged perpetrators of violence. MEC Mchunu expressed serious concerns about police management in the areas, announcing that he had written to him urging him to take immediate steps about the situation here.
“We need drastic measures on enforcement in Wembezi. We need to look at the management of police in Wembezi. The most problematic areas are sections C and D of Wembezi,” said MEC Mchunu.
He said what was urgently needed in the areas was to remove from the community the criminals who were key drivers behind the violence.
“I have written to Minister (Mthethwa) urging him to talk to the provincial police commissioner to look at management of police operations in Wembezi. I am calling for the change of management or to beef up deployment by bringing police from the national. Bring in personnel from crime intelligence, new team of detective… and more visible policing.
“We need specialized task teams to conduct house to house searches, remove firearms and arrest culprits,” said Mchunu.
For more information:
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
See latest cases below:
November Wembesi Police Station 2013 Cases
9. November 2013: Attempted Murder Phumlani Ndlela 27 years was attacked near D Section Wembezi Township by Sifiso Dladla, Lindani Hadebe and Sihle Cebekhulu who were also arrested by the police. Mr Ndlela sustained gunshot wound on his left arm. The matter was reported in Wembezi Police Station as case 15/11/2013.
10. November 2013: Murder of Mr Sabelo Sokhela an ANC Party Agent in Ward 2 C Section Wembezi Township at about 21:15. This area is the most affected by political conflict between the NFP and the ANC.
13. November 2013: Attempted murder of Mr Skhumbuzo Zuma 40 years was attacked in C Section Wembezi Township at about 20:00h. Mr Zuma sustained gunshot wound on his right shoulder, the matter was reported in Wembezi police station as per case 24/11/2013. The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage. The matter is still under investigation and no arrest has been made till today.
16 November 2013: Attempted murder of Mr. S’bonangane Mabaso 20years was shot in C. Section Wembezi Township at about 23h00. Mr Mabaso sustained gunshot wound in his stomach. The matter was reported in Wembezi Police Station as per case 32/11/2013. The matter is still under investigation and no arrest made.
19 November 2013: Attempted Murder of Mr Phikiwe Mvelase 47 years in D Section Wembezi Township at about 19:30. Mr Mvelase did not sustain any injuries and the matter was reported in Wembezi Township as per case 40/11/2013. The matter is under investigation and no arrest made.
19 November 2013: Attempted Murder of Jabulile Masuku 49 years in D Section Wembezi Township at about 22:00. Ms Masuku did not sustain any injuries and the motive for the attack is unknown. The matter was reported in Wembezi Township as per case 41/11/2013 and no arrest made.
21 November 2013: Attempted Murder of Mr Magidana Dlamini 30 yaers at Muntuza Primary School in Nkwezela Section at about 19:10. He sustained gunshot wound in his left hand, right thigh and stomach. The motive for the attack is unknown and no arrest at this stage matter is under investigation. The matter was reported in Wembezi Police Station as per case 45/11/2013
24 November 2013: Attempted Murder of Mr Manqoba Khanyile 28 years at Depot Section Wembezi Township at about 00:20. Mr Khanyile was attacked at his house and he sustained gunshot wound on his right thigh. The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage and the matter was reported as per Wembezi Police Station Case 48/11/2013. The matter is under investigation and no arrest at this stage.
24 November 2013: Murder of Mr Thulani Madlala 42 years in Nkwezela Section Wembezi Township at about16:30. Mr Madlala was attacked along Nkwezela Road with his girlfriend who did not sustain any injuries. The matter was reported in Wembezi Police Station as per case 51/11/2013.
The police conducted a follow up on the matter and that led to the killing of one suspect Mr Nicholas Mngadi and the arrest of Mzomuhle Singh 32 years. It is alleged that both suspects are well known members of the NFP in Wembezi Township.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5755
Email: Kwanele.Ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
Email: Sipho.Khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
