KZN commissioner condemns attacks and to add more manpower to stabilize the situation
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni condemned the attacks directed towards the national foreigners that had spread in Durban South and other areas around Durban. As a result of these attacks, Provincial Commissioner has added more manpower to the affected areas to maintain the situation while negotiations are taking place to resolve the situation. While the police are doing everything to restore peace and stability, the Provincial Commissioner appeal to the community to refrain from attacking each other.
"We once again discourage people from taking the law into their own hands and caution that those found to be breaking the law will be prosecuted. They must stop committing criminal activities and report those suspects wanted by the police for crimes that were already reported in the area," she said.
There is a number of criminal cases that have been opened at various police stations around Umlazi Cluster and Chatsworth area. These cases include public violence, business robberies, murders, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grevious bodily harm and malicious damage to property.
A total of 17 suspects have been arrested who were linked to different cases of public violence, murder, business robbery and business burglaries. In some of these arrested suspects, members of the community assisted the police in arresting the suspects who broke into a furniture shop at Isipingo. That shows that some of our local communities are against these attacks directed towards the foreigners and their properties.
Yesterday, 9 April 2015 during the day, four suspects allegedly robbed a supermarket belonging to a foreign national at J Section. During a robbery, a shot was fired and a woman (24) who was in the vicinity was shot and taken to hospital where she later died. A foreigner was immediately arrested and will be charged with murder. Last night more shops were looted at sections in Umlazi area and the police stepped in to prevent such criminal activities.
In Chatsworth, a foreign national was arrested for murder and he has already appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court. He was remanded in custody until 14 April 2015. He was linked to a murder case that was reported at Lusaka informal settlement in Chatsworth area.
Statement issued by Major Thulani Zwane, KwaZulu-Natal: Media Centre, SAPS, April 10 2015
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