FOLLOWING the killing of Glebelands Hostel residents, William Mthembu and Thokozani Machi in Montclair on Saturday, 12 September, the eThekwini municipality’s executive committee has highlighted plans to reduce violence at the hostel and surroundings.
At a meeting on Tuesday, 29 September the executive committee submitted a report on actions taken at the Glebelands community residential unit (CRU).
“The reason people were killing each other was because certain groups at the CRU were evicting residents from their rooms. The province through premier Mchunu has started to facilitate the process in terms of negotiating with the various forms of structures. People need to sit down and discuss issues and find solutions,” said eThekwini mayor Councillor James Nxumalo.
According to deputy city manager of community and emergency services, Dr Musa Gumede, a meeting was held in September last year where residents were addressed by Nxumalo and KZN premier, Senzo Mchunu.
This meeting saw the dissolution of unlawful governance structures at the CRU and the implementation of security developments.
More SAPS and Metro Police officers have been deployed to the area along with private security patrols, 12 CCTV cameras have been installed and controlled access has been introduced. Another six cameras are expected to be installed and a perimeter fence will be built. A proposal to install a boomgate is being discussed.
Nxumalo and Mchunu are expected to address the community during an imbizo later this month, followed in November by an election of a committee to govern the CRU.
“The municipality has also delivered on vital services to ensure residents are living in a safe and clean environment,” said Gumede.
He added that security is tight in the CRU, with only one attempted killing.
“All the other incidents have occurred outside the CRU. This suggests that there is sufficient security at the CRU,” he said.
The problem with Glebelands is criminality, according to Nxumalo, who said violence was now occurring outside the CRU. He added that he is confident police are handling the matter as there have been a number of arrests.
RELATED:
MEC pleased by arrest in Montclair double murder
Arrest in Montclair double murder
Hostel residents gunned down at shopping centre
