KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has assured residents of Glebelands Residential Units that progress is being made to ensure their safety and security. The premier was speaking following the presentation of a comprehensive progress report before the provincial executive council meeting in Pietermaritzburg.
“Government has been monitoring the situation since our meeting with residents and all role-players held on the 28th September 2014 at Glebelands Stadium. An integrated approach involving government departments such as Community Safety and Liaison, SAPS, Human Settlements and eThekwini Municipality has ensured that we make progress in terms of the implementation of a turn-around strategy.”
Importantly, the following initiatives have been concluded:
- About380 tenants have been registered at Glebelands Residential Unit;
- To ensure visibility at night, lighting has been upgraded in 9 blocks. Efforts are being made to speed up the upgrading of lights in public areas;
- Phase 1 of the installation of CCTV cameras has been concluded;
- The award for the Perimeter Fencing has been concluded and service provider has commenced with the work which is due for completion in two months;
“Surveillance cameras and unshielded floodlights will deter criminal activities and intruders. This will also help residents to feel safer and will reduce incidents of theft and damage to property.”
“We identified the selling of beds as the root cause of murders and instability at Glebelands. Tenants registration will help stop the illegal selling of beds by individuals. Moving forward, eThekwini Municipality, as the landlord, will be handling matters related to rent and occupation. Those who are found to be involved in the illegal selling of beds will face the full might of the law.”
“As government we believe that we need to educate tenants about their rights, responsibilities and obligations. These initiatives will improve the living conditions of tenants and will protect them from unscrupulous and illegal landlords.”
“Our vision is to be an accountable state that responds to the expectations and needs of the population, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children. Women and children are the ones who have been greatly affected by these killings. We therefore recognise the centrality of state-society relations in protecting these vulnerable members of our society.”
“Critically, we remain concerned that we still have reported cases of murders in the area and government will continue to enforce the law. We must say we have noted that our stringent security measures have forced criminal elements to commit some murders outside Glebelands. Our security machinery has been strengthened as we cannot afford to have an increasing number of widowers, widows and orphans as a result of these killings.”
“We have allocated resources for police to do random searches, roadblocks and other special operations to root out crime related to Glebelands. We will not tolerate criminal acts that violate the rights of other citizens. We view this as nothing but unruly elements seeking to test the strength of the state.”
“We welcome the cooperation from the national government and we offer to work with all role-players including chapter nine institutions such as the Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector to promote human rights and ensure peace and stability at Glebelands.”
Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 3754742
Regi Khumalo
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