Residents concerned over La Lucia stabbings

CONCERNS have been raised over two attempted murder cases which have occurred in the green belt behind the La Lucia taxi rank in the last month.

According to police, both incidents involved homeless men who appeared to be intoxicated. In both cases the victims were stabbed and were transported to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital. Residents have also raised concerns the area may be a hotbed of crime.

When Northglen News visited the site with a member of the Durban North/uMhlanga CPF last week, we found several areas littered with rubbish while a spot close to the taxi rank was covered in wires that had seemingly been ripped out of the ground. There was also a group of around 15 men sitting nearby.

Ward councillor, Nicole Bollman said part of the problem is there is a criminal element within some of the homeless settlements.

Read also: Armed gang target La Lucia business

“During lockdown, the City were able to look after more than 2 000 people due to the spread of Covid-19. However this led to a second wave of people coming into the area. While the City can be commended for helping those during the first few months, there seems to be no assistance for those who are now homeless in the area. The Durban North police, along with the CPF and other members of the City have been actively involved in identifying areas where illegal homes are being built. The river bank along Riverside Road, the bushes along the M4 Ruth First Highway, Virginia Bush and La Lucia beach area have been raided by the roleplayers. We have requested police look at this particular area as there have been stabbings and possible drug abuse.

“Quite often in these operations police have profiled the homeless living in the area to create a database of their fingerprints. They’ve also confiscated items believed to have been stolen or any weapons found in the dwellings. While there are no structures in the green belt behind the rank, there is an area of concern as complexes near by have experienced a spike in petty theft. Some of the residents believe the crime may be linked to the homeless men living close by. In the last few months, we’ve seen an influx of people coming into the area unchecked,” Bollman explained.

In other crime news: Thieves throw wheelbarrow through Sunningdale homeowner’s window in theft case

Chairman of the Durban North/uMhlanga CPF, Haden Searles, said the reason the stabbings occurred were because alcohol was allowed.

“It’s as simple as that, where there is alcohol, there is bound to be fights and in this specific case, stabbings. But vagrancy is an ongoing issue across the City and across our sectors within the policing precinct. It has been an issue at this particular site and at others like Virginia Bush and Virginia Beach. The City needs to address the homeless problem and I encourage residents to supports programmes and NPOs that help homeless people that address issues at the root cause,” he said.  

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