The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda has assured the community of uMsinga that government will leave no stone unturned in ending the ongoing killings in the area.
Kaunda convened an urgent meeting with aMakhosi, local municipality, the leadership of the taxi industry (SANTACO) and various government departments in uMsinga following the killing of 24 people from within two months from 1 December to the end of February this year.
The meeting sought to find solutions to the ongoing killings which are allegedly linked to faction fights and taxi conflict in Pemoroy Taxi Association.
Kaunda said that the ongoing killings are a cause for concern and require all stakeholders to work together. “Most of these killings emanate from the taxi industry and spill over to the community. For instance, in Pemoroy, there is a group of illegal operators who want to take control of the association from legitimate structure. As government, through our law enforcement agencies, we are intervening to bring law and order in the association,” said Kaunda.
He said the murders are giving an impression that there is high-level of lawlessness in the area which must be curbed. “Therefore, we are here to declare war on these criminals and say enough is enough. Let us ensure that as from today no one will die in uMsinga through criminal activities,” he said.
Kaunda has instructed the police to speed up investigations into the 24 cases and ensure that perpetrators face the full might of the law. “This will restore the confidence of the community to the police. We also want the police to increase visibility in the area and conduct regular operations both on the road and in the community,” said Kaunda.
One of the major contributing factors to crime and killings in uMsinga is the proliferation of illegal firearms. Through the intelligence- driven operations in the area, police have recovered 22 illegal firearms from December last year to date.
Kaunda has vowed to return to uMsinga to bring together warring factions and to ensure that those who are implicated in the ongoing killings are arrested.
More engagements with the affected families and communities will continue as part of restoring peace and stability in uMsinga.
Meetings held after faction fights and taxi conflict lead to deaths of 24 people since 1 December in KZN https://t.co/1qnOrf0Fjs #ArriveAlive @KZNTransport pic.twitter.com/2w2n5XUgCj
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