The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal demands that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) conducts a thorough investigation into police involvement in the killing of five members of the Kubheka Family at Umtshezi last night.
“We are deeply concerned at the latest killing of five men from the Kubheka Family in what witnesses are calling an “execution”. Those who saw what happened have told us that a police Task Team arrived at the Kubheka residence and used cable ties to secure the men’s wrists before making them to lie face-down and then proceeded to shoot them execution-style. We call upon IPID to investigate this incident thoroughly and ensure that the policemen involved are brought to book. While we have been calling for swift police action in apprehending the killers of eight family members in Ematimatolo and then five family members in Nteke near Marianhill last week, we do not expect members of SAPS to take the law into their own hands and mete out this kind of justice. Communities look to the police for protection from criminals and therefore the police leadership must never allow SAPS to deteriorate into criminality”, said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.
“These killings are evidence that our province in sinking into dangerous levels of lawlessness. While listening to what the witnesses were saying, I was reminded about IFP Ethekwini Ward 39 Councillor Mr Themba Xulu who was kidnapped in October 2012 by people posing as policemen. Cllr Xulu was found shot dead a few days later. We have been demanding that the police investigate that killing and expose those who were posing as policemen. Now that there are witnesses who claim that police were involved in this execution-style killing at Umtshezi, we cannot be faulted for thinking that it indeed was police who killed Councillor Xulu in 2012. If SAPS is serious about restoring law and order in the province, it must get its house in order first.
We cannot expect normality in communities that are fearful of the police. Neither can we expect law-abiding citizens to assist the police in identifying criminals when they are afraid of the police.
It is high time for MEC for Community Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal, Mxolisi Kaunda to stand up and take charge of this lawlessness. If he is incapable of doing so, he must do the honourable thing and resign”, concluded Mr Gwala.
The Inkatha Freedom Party sends condolences to the Kubheka Family and the Umtshezi community.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
078 290 5842
