KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has noted with concerns the reports of the murder of a Malawian national in Newlands West, urging residents, including the foreign nationals in the area to remain calm and allow the police to probe this matter.
Frank Deve, 22, succumbed to his injuries and died over the weekend in hospital after being stabbed last week Thursday.
At this stage, the motive for the murder is unknown and police are investigating. Yesterday, 8 February 2015 residents, including the foreign nationals who say they have been repeatedly attacked in the area - contemplated taking the law into their hands but calm was restored following the intervention of the local Community Policing Forum (CPF).
Today, 9 February 2015 Mchunu condemned the murder of Deve and thanked the local CPF for stabilising the situation and instead of violence or vigilantism, scheduled an urgent meeting to resolve the matter amicably.
“Police are looking into this matter. But we wish to call on the Newlands West residents, including the foreign nationals to observe calm and restraint and allow the police to get into the bottom of this matter.
“We also appeal to whoever might have information as to who is responsible for this murder and attacks of foreign nationals to share it with the police so that those responsible could be immediately brought to book,” said Mchunu.
Enquiries:
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
E-mail: Sipho.khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462/079 699 5755
E-mail: Kwanele.ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
