KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, is disturbed and gravely concerned by increasing incidents of violence at KwaMashu hostel following another attempt at the life of a ward Councillor that left one person dead.
In what appeared as the second attempt at the life of eThekwini ward 39 Councillor, Sakhi Ngcamu in two days, a group of heavily armed assailants opened fire at two people waiting at the home of the Councillor. The unknown assailants, who were heavily armed with heavy guns, opened fire at the two people who had come to see the Councillor.
In that attack, one person was killed while the second one is reportedly to be critically wounded. This attack comes just a day after Ngcamu was allegedly attacked and survived unharmed in the rain of bullet at his house inside the hostel.
The KwaMashu hostel is known for its notorious political instability and high levels of crime. An urgent meeting was called today between the police, the Department of Community Safety and Liaison and the IFP leadership in the area. At this stage it is difficult to link these attacks to political intolerance however internal party tensions cannot be ruled out.
This incident, which seeks to undermine peace in the area, is of great concern to MEC Mchunu who has since issued a stern warning to those behind this incident. An angry MEC Mchunu has warned that police would never allow the hostel to be plunged into violence again by those elements bent on committing the acts of violence and skulduggery.
MEC Mchunu pointed out that his department, police and the political players in the area had invested heavily in bringing about peace in the area and no one would be allowed to reverse these hard won gains at the hostel. “It is unfortunate that in two consecutive days, ward -39 Councillor was subjected to attacks. No matter whether these attacks have anything to do with intra-party conflict or any other matter, to us crime is crime and will spare no moment in bringing those behind it to book.
“We cannot have a place in this province where people are just killed, others in a broad daylight. This is a classic example of people who undermine the rule of law and who have no respect for human life. In our view criminals are criminals and should just be treated as such and nothing else.
“I am concerned that this will further create tension at the hostel. Once again, I am confident that police have the capacity to deal decisively with cases of this nature. I send my deepest condolences to the deceased and appeal to the community of the KwaMashu hostel to work with the police,” said Mchunu.
