KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, has strongly condemned the violence that accompanied public protests in Cato Manor, Durban, resulting in the unfortunate death of one person. Today, 30 September 2013 at about 04h00 am police at Cato Manor received a report that the community had blockaded Bellair Road.
When police got to the blockade they found that they could not get through and had to proceed using Harcomb Gardens Road to get around the blockade. When they entered the road they found a mob of 500 people waiting for them. They were ambushed and the suspects stoned the vehicle and broke the windows whilst surrounding the vehicle.The suspects then opened the doors and attempted to pull the members out.
Police also heard gunshots emanating from the mob and realized that they were going to be killed. They then fired shots at the group and the suspects fled, thereby allowing the two police officers to reverse the van and return to the police station to get back-up. When the police later returned to the scene they found that two females were injured in the shootout. One was taken to hospital while the second died at the scene prior to the arrival of police.
MEC Mchunu, who visited the area today to conduct an inspection-in-loco, condemned the violence in whatever forms it manifested itself. “We do not wish for a situation whether we are seeing SAPS members or members of the public losing their lives in violent public protests.
I have started engagements with all stakeholders, including visiting the scene of the accident. Police have given me their side of the story and I am glad that the matter has been taken over by Independent Police Directorate for Investigation,” said MEC Mchunu.
Mchunu committed himself to investigating all the circumstances that led to this violence. “There is constitutional right for people to protest but no one has right to provoke violence either from the public or the police.
I am glad the IPD has taken over the investigation. From now on I will be meeting with the eThekwini Municipality, the family of the deceased woman and all stakeholders,” said MEC Mchunu. MEC Mchunu also extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased woman and those injured.
