KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Senzo Mchunu has warned criminal elements that are operating at Glebelands Residential Units that law enforcement agencies will have no mercy. He was speaking today during a meeting with residents convened to deal with on-going murders of innocent people in what has been described as "selling of beds racket".
Our security machinery has been strengthened to ensure that peace prevails at Glebelands and that any unruly elements found to be violating the rights of others faces the full might of the law.
We have deployed an undisclosed number of police offers from other provinces to do random searchers, man roadblocks and other special operations to root out crime in the hostel.
We welcome the cooperation from the national government. It should be remembered that the National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega and her provincial counterpart met members of the executive council few months as part of efforts aimed at ensuring an effective implementation of the national crime prevention strategy.
As the provincial government we offered to implement the strategy and allocate more resources in order to make it impossible for criminals to operate. Our intervention at Glebelands should be viewed as part of the implementation of the strategy.
We have brought in various government departments such as Human Settlements and eThekwini Municipality to implement a turnaround strategy. There will be strict control for pedestrians and vehicles through one point of entry and exit.
We will install surveillance cameras and unshielded floodlights to deter criminal activities and intruders. This will also help residents to feel safer and will reduce incidents of theft and damage to property.
The selling of beds by individuals is illegal and those who are found doing that will face the full might of the law. The selling of beds has been the root cause of ongoing murders and instability at Glebelands. eThekwini Municipality as the landlord will be handling matters related to rent and occupation.
The municipality will educate tenants about their rights, responsibilities and obligations. The new policy that has been developed by the municipality will improve the living conditions of tenants and will protect them from unscrupulous and illegal landlords.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 375 4742
