"Greytown area is now stable. You must be congratulated for having held two successive by-elections without any glitch. There have been no reported deaths since peace talks began. No death since the Greytown Peace Accord was signed. This is very good for our democracy," MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu has said.
Mchunu was addressing uMvoti Municipality councillors earlier today at the post Greytown Peace Accord workshop organised by the Department of Community Safety and Liaison as part of nurturing the peace process. The workshop was held at the uMvoti Municipality Hall.
uMvoti has been plagued by political intolerance that resulted in a number of deaths of councillors both from the IFP and ANC. At the height of the killings, the KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet appointed a Peace Task Team headed by MEC Willies Mchunu. It included the IFP Member of the Provincial Legislature, Blessed Gwala.
The cabinet also appointed a Provincial Police Task Team. A number of suspects have been apprehended since then. The Task Team remains active in Greytown.
"I am very excited about the Police Task Team's work here, they recently reported that over 100 illegal firearms have been seized in their various operations. It is this kind of dedication to serve one's country that must be inculcated in all police force members," Mchunu said.
Despite peace progress, the Provincial Task Team will stay put in Greytown until all suspects have been brought to book.
"Don't hurl insults at one another. Respect each other even though you may hold different political views. In politics, you must play the ball, not the man. If you respect each other, you will not be diverted from the path of peace, cooperation and the spirit of co-existence.
"The IFP is extremely happy that the peace process is holding. It is unfortunate that more than 15 years into democracy, the demon of political intolerance continues to raise its ugly head," said IFP MPL Blessed Gwala.
Enquiries:
Bhekisisa Mncube
MEC's spokesperson
Cell: 084 928 4412 or 079 699 5755
Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
22 October 2009
Source: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
