Durban law enforcement braces for Easter influx

A total of 26 000 law enforcement officers have been deployed throughout the province to deal with lawlessness.

So said KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda who visited Westville Correctional facility outside Durban on Friday where he held discussions with heads of provincial law enforcement agencies on the integrated Easter Plan.

Kaunda kickstarted his day by a leading a search parade which was conducted inside the Westville Medium B prison, where cellphones and dagga were recovered inside prison cells.

MEC Mxolisi Kaunda launches Easter Holiday Safety Plan 2018. More info & photos at https://t.co/6kUjsBkXKG #RoadSafetyIsOurCollectiveResponsibility#SafetyIsOurCollectiveResponsibility #EasterRoadSafety #Easter pic.twitter.com/2aYQGOfb7L

— KZN Transport (@KZNTransport) March 24, 2018

This, according to Kaunda, is a direct perpetuation of crime by inmates who clearly have direct links with the outside world and are able to direct criminal activities while serving time.

He further called for more stringent measures to be put in place to deal with corrupt officials who participate in smuggling illegal substances into the cells.

During his address, Kaunda said that during the 2017 festive season KZN saw a 10 per cent decrease in road fatalities.

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Moreover, a huge success was achieved in the arrests of 438 suspects for armed robbery, 6956 suspects for the violation of Firearm Control Act, Liquor Act and Second hand Goods Act.

“This decrease is reason enough to be proud of the excellent work done by our law enforcement officers in ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens and visitors who come to explore our beautiful province”, said Kaunda.

Kaunda also made a call to all members of law enforcement agencies to stop planning operations focusing on holidays only and to ensure that there were integrated plans which  run for 365 days.

ALSO READ: Infographic: How to be safe on the road this Easter

“We must ensure that we squeeze the space for criminals and declare a war against crime. It is for this reason that we have deployed a total of 26 000 law enforcement officers throughout the province to deal with lawlessness. Our law enforcement officers are up to the task and they are willing to provide a conducive environment for all our citizens and business operators. We will roll out our operations within our communities to fight all criminal elements. We will also intensify our integrated law enforcement operations to fight lawlessness on our roads and reduce road fatalities,” he said.

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