The IFP calls on the KZN MECs of Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda and Agriculture and Rural Development, Themba Mthembu, to urgently intervene by holding an Imbizo at Maqeleni area in uMlalazi, eShowe Village which has been rocked by violence sparked by allegations of stock theft, resulting in some houses being set alight and other people being killed.
It is imperative that the responsible MECs act now before the situation gets out of hand. They must call an urgent Imbizo to bring peace and stability at Maqeleni. Recently, the Cele Family survived an attack and just last week the local Induna, Mr Nkomo Ngwenya was shot and killed.
We are extremely concerned about livestock rustling as this menace has the potential to weaken farming in the country in that many rural areas some people sell and use cattle to plough, weed, plant and sometimes harvest their farm produce. It is, therefore, appropriate and urgent for the failing ANC government in KZN to come up with pragmatic measures towards mitigating this national emergency.
In this regard, The IFP recommends the following:
The promotion of community policing, especially motored patrol and surveillance in the major grazing areas; and
A strategy aimed at involving local communities in the prevention of stock theft.
Furthermore, a major problem in the area is gun violence. We cannot go on like this, for a very long time we have been calling for a thorough investigation into the proliferation of illegal firearms in our communities, warning that the province is increasingly becoming a harbour for gun-toting assassins. Our calls fell onto deaf ears. Criminals and murderers are already a step ahead of the law enforcement agencies because they continuously fail to heighten visible policing in our communities.
We reiterate our call for a comprehensive plan from National Police Minister Mr Bheki Cele and the KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Mr Mxolisi Kaunda to intensify the fight of eradicating illegal firearms in our province. We are not convinced with the insignificant progress made in getting rid of firearms in our communities.
Contact:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
078 290 5842
