KEY POINTS
- Six people were killed during and after an anti-crime peace march.
- Residents demand military intervention and increased police patrols.
- The ANC calls for stronger protection for community crime activists.
The community of Amaoti, Inanda, located outside Durban, is grappling with shock and fear after six people were gunned down during and after an anti-crime march.
The tragic events, which took place on Sunday and Monday, have sparked urgent calls for government intervention to curb rising violence in the area.
The march was organized by local residents seeking to protest the relentless killings plaguing their community.
According to residents, frustration over police inaction prompted them to reach out directly to Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, hoping for immediate solutions.
“One of our members called the minister, and he responded that he would come to address the issue,” a community member explained.
However, before any meaningful dialogue could take place, tragedy struck.
“While waiting, some people went home to freshen up and get food. Then, around 11 a.m., gunshots rang out, followed by screams.
When we rushed outside, we saw three bodies lying on the street,” another resident recounted.
Fear and violence intensify in the Amaoti community
Residents have expressed deep fear, noting that violent deaths have become an unsettling routine in Amaoti. Schools closed, and parents kept children indoors for safety.
The Community Policing Forum (CPF) painted a grim picture of the escalating violence. According to CPF Chairperson Mbongeni Phewa, attackers killed at least 11 people in just the last two weeks of February and the first two weeks of March.
The number climbed further following the peace march killings and two additional murders on Sunday night, bringing the toll to 16 deaths within weeks.
“We bury someone almost every day here,” Phewa lamented.
Phewa attributed much of the violence to drug abuse and muti rituals. He suggested that some perpetrators believe these rituals grant them protection.
He also emphasized the effect of load shedding. Moreover, he noted that criminals often take advantage of the darkness to carry out attacks.
“Every time the power goes out, someone gets killed,” Phewa said, stressing the urgency for better security measures.
Community calls for stronger government intervention
The CPF confirmed that they had contacted Minister Mchunu, urging him to visit Amaoti. However, due to prior commitments, he sent a representative instead.
During the meeting, residents and CPF representatives demanded that police increase patrols. They advocated activating military action if police methods fail to resolve the situation.
“We need soldiers for at least six months to stabilize this community,” Phewa asserted.
According to IOL, the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal condemned the attacks, particularly since some of the victims were linked to the CPF.
ANC KZN Provincial Task Team Coordinator, Mike Mabuyakhulu, expressed deep concern over the rising attacks on community crime fighters.
“Such acts of violence not only rob families of their loved ones but also undermine the collective efforts of communities striving for safety and security,” Mabuyakhulu said.
He offered sympathy to families who lost loved ones. He also expressed support for the community of Amaoti during this challenging time.
The ANC requested that police authorities speed up their response to criminal investigations and deliver justice to the responsible parties.
Mabuyakhulu emphasized the need for enhanced security measures to protect individuals working as community crime activists. Mchunu had pointed this out.
“Mchunu and the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, must immediately roll out a program to protect anti-crime activists who are targets of criminals,” he emphasized.
As of publication, the police had not responded to media requests for comments regarding the killings.
For now, the Amaoti community remains gripped by fear and uncertainty, hoping that the government will take urgent steps to restore peace and security.
