The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is extremely concerned by the discovery of the charred remains of a woman in Mthwalume on Saturday – bringing the number of women killed in the area to six, in just four months.
According to the Area Community Policing Forum chairperson, the woman was reported missing on Friday last week.
The DA extends is sincere condolences to the family of the latest woman to be found killed. This gruesome discovery comes despite the belief that an alleged serial killer, who was arrested last month and later committed suicide, had been apprehended. It also comes as a second suspect was released due to lack of evidence.
To date, out of a total of 14 women reported missing, six remain missing, six have sadly been found dead and two managed to escape with their lives. That another woman has now been found raises the very serious question of whether the now-deceased suspect and his alleged accomplice were working alone, or whether there is another individual involved who remains at large. If this is indeed the case, then SAPS must work to apprehend this person as a matter of extreme urgency.
Regrettably, investigations into this matter have already been hampered as a result of poor administration at the Hibberdene SAPS – a fact stated by National Police Minister, Bheki Cele, when he recently visited the community. Issues include incompetent officers who continue to report for duty without facing disciplinary action and the question that KZN Community Safety MEC, Bheki Ntuli must answer is – why did five women have to die before such serious problems were identified at this SAPS?
According to the United Nations, there is a global average of 340 officers to every 100 000 people. With 88 officers for a population of less than 100 000, the Hibberdene SAPS is already at a severe disadvantage. Last month KZN’s Community Safety portfolio committee had a meeting with SAPS to receive an update on the status of the investigation from senior members at the station. During our visit we also found that despite annual crimes statistics for the Hibberdene SAPS showing a year on year increase in crime against women, no strategic interventions had been made.
This visit was followed by one from the National Police Minister, the KZN Premier and MEC Ntuli, who assured the community that crimes against women would be prioritised and that they would be safer with additional patrols. Yet women continue to die.
The DA believes that it is pointless to temporarily redirect investigators or officers from other stations to assist. Instead, the solution is to;
• Permanently increase the workforce at this SAPS station
• Align with security companies within the area to provide additional visibility
• Strengthen the alliance between the community and SAPS
• Provide resources to help SAPS conduct their duties and;
• Ensure compulsory training of officers and detectives
The DA in KZN will continue to pressure MEC Ntuli to implement these measures – not only in Hibberdene but across all other poorly staffed and under resourced SAPS. The right to live in a safe environment must be protected while SAPS role must be reinvigorated in our province.