Schooling has been disrupted in some parts of the Sundumbili area that falls under Inkosi Biyela and Zulu following a conflict that has left five people dead, and three injured, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, heard today.
Mchunu held a meeting with both Inkosi Nkosinathi Zulu (Mankenganeni area) and Inkosi Sifiso Biyela (MaNkwanyaneni) in a bid to end the low intensity warfare between the warring factions of the Mthethwas and Ncananas.
According to police reports, the conflict goes back many years, but, it resurfaced in 2009, and five people have died so far.
* One person was killed last year at the KwaMashu Hostel. A suspect was arrested, charged and sentenced.
* In February, 2010, a male from the Ncanana family was shot dead, another male shot and injured.
* In early March, 2010, three people were killed in the skirmishes between these families, and two critically wounded.
Currently, a detachment of the Public Order Police (POP) Unit is monitoring the volatile situation. All cases are being investigated by the Sundumbili Police Station with the assistance of detectives from the organised crime unit.
At the meeting, Amakhosi told the MEC that all their attempts to broker truce have been without success. They requested the intervention of the MEC, the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and specialised police units to rid the area of illegal firearms.
“I will convene an urgent meeting with the Provincial Commissioner with a view to beef up the current deployment. It is clear though that we need to engage with the warring factions. Our intervention should be to support all local initiatives driven by Amakhosi. I am very impressed by your work in this area - trying to end the conflict. It is clear from your representations that we may indeed be forced to bring in Specialised Police Units. However, we must bear in mind that the first prize is to end the war, get children back at school, and obviously arrest with a view to prosecute those who have caused the mayhem,” said Mchunu.
He said that within days, he will get in touch with the MEC for Education. “We need to get the schooling back to normal. We will meet with the teachers and parents urgently to discuss the matter”.
More meetings are planned for next week.
Enquiries: Bhekisisa Mncube (Spokesperson)
Cell: 079 699 5755
Issued by: Department of Community Safety and Liaison, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
11 March 2010
Source: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za/)
