THE state of Wentworth has drawn the attention of the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda who reassured residents that the government would do everything possible to ensure they were protected from drug scums harassing the community.
Angry residents have threatened to storm the police station for allegedly failing to protect the community from local drug lords who were randomly shot at and threatened the safety of the community. Anger and dissatisfaction were expressed during a meeting with the MEC on Wednesday, 22 June. Community leaders told Kaunda that life had become hell as residents and children were under ‘siege’ from drug lords who were accused of colluding with the local police station management to commit criminal acts.
Taking everything into consideration, he told the leaders that government would not allow a small group of people to hold a whole community ransom. “We cannot allow a situation where a few people in the community suppress the rights of the majority to normal life. We appreciate that you have raised the matter with the government and we assure you that when the community works with the government and the police, crime is defeated,” said Kaunda.
We cannot allow a situation where a few people in the community suppress the rights of the majority to normal life
He announced a number of measures to stabilise Wentworth, including increased visible policing and compiling lists of all unresolved cases in the area.
“I will be soon meeting with the police management in KwaZulu-Natal and also with the national minister of police, Nathi Nhleko to raise your concerns about the police management in Wentworth. We will saturate the area with more police and specialised units. Police are going to be tough on those who break the law. We want Wentworth to be a drug-free and crime-free area working with all the members of the community within the law,” he said.
However, MEC Kaunda warned that the government would not allow the community to hold illegal protests and commit acts of criminality.
“We will not work with those who break the law. We are very clear that illegal and violent protests are acts of criminality and we will not allow them no matter what,” said MEC Kaunda.
Another meeting has been scheduled with the community for next week.
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