The DA in KwaZulu-Natal calls on provincial SAPS Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to pressure the national Police Minister to allocate all necessary resources to investigate this weekend’s horrific tavern shootings during which 12 people were killed.
The two separate incidents took place west of Durban. The DA extends its sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones in such a violent manner.
While the DA welcomes the arrests that have taken place to date, it is clear that violent incidents such as this are fast becoming the norm in our province.
The people of KZN are in fact becoming desensitized as a result – a situation compounded by the province’s extremely high serious crime rate, particularly in terms of murder and rape.
The reality is that while lawlessness is out of control, SAPS remains under-resourced and overwhelmed and is unable to be proactive as a result.
The situation is aggravated by an MEC whose response to this weekend’s massacres is to hold yet another talk shop – this time with traditional leaders – rather than acknowledge the crisis that exists.
SAPS are operating under increasingly difficult conditions. The time has come for both national and provincial ANC-run government to act. In the case of this weekends’ shootings, a dedicated team must be deployed so that a clear message is sent and more innocent lives are not lost.
The DA will continue to fight for the right of KZN’s people to live their lives without being subjected to fear on a daily basis.