Following recent developments where residents of Jerusalema and Durban Deep fled their homes out of fear amid frequent and intense shootouts to seek refuge at Florida Police Station.
Operation Shanela, an intelligence-led disruptive operation, tracking and tracing of wanted suspects as well as the removal of illegal firearms was immediately launched to return these families to their homes and ensure their safety.
In a media update published by the MMC for Public Safety and JMPD Specialised Unit on August 17 responding to the shooting incidents Dr Mgcini Tshwaku who visited the scene, provided reassurance to the community of Jerusalema and said that they will continue with joint efforts to put an end to this.
• Also read: Jersusalema and Durban Deep residents flee to safety amid zama zama shootouts
“We would like to reassure the residents of Jerusalema that JMPD will work with the police and Community Policing Forums to put an end to this violence and terrorising of residents by these zama zamas,” Tshwaku said and mentioned that they responded with speed as they do understand the urgency of this matter – that is the need for immediate remedial action.
“We will not rest until our communities are safe and free from crime and violent from zama zamas,” Tshwaku further said.
The combined efforts of Florida police and entities immediately launched Operation Shanela, with illegal mining at the forefront, and station commander Colonel Tsotetsi said that it is alleged that these shootouts occur as Basotho nationals fight because of an ongoing turf war, leaving innocent residents in the firing line.
• Also read: Residents left panicked over gun violence in Jerusalema
The operation saw a safe return of these displaced and scared residents all in terms of Section 205 of the South African Constitution. This section has bearing on the police and read as follows: ‘The national police service must be structured to function in the national, provincial and, where appropriate, local spheres of government.’
More inter-multidisciplinary operations are underway. Florida Police with police district and province, JMPD, Private Security companies, and SANDF are conducting daily operations with the problem. Other departments such as home affairs and foreign affairs are involved.
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Residents shared their concerns with some asking what the community can do to help these displaced residents and why the police station was closed during load-shedding. Another resident said that the station should not be closed; certain services may not be available due to power constraints, but primary functional services should be available.
Further to the issue is the involvement of residents in Jerusalema, and in the actual suburbs and surrounding areas (Florida, Discovery, Constantia, etc.) in illegal mining activities or providing support, finance, or market for illegal mining.
Gift of the Givers and Red Cross allegedly also responded to the crisis.
