Following an upsurge in violent public protests in the city, eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda has ordered Metro Police, Emergency and Fire Services to continue to maintain high visibility in all areas that have been identified as hot spots.

 

Since the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma last week, the city continues to experience sporadic violent protests in areas such as Peacevale along the N3, Umgababa on the N2, KwaMashu, Inanda, Umlazi, Clermont, Pinetown and the CBD.

 

“Working with the SAPS, we have developed an integrated safety plan which includes heightened police visibility in these hot spot areas. We have also activated our community crime fighting structures to be our eyes and ears on the ground. Our Metro Police has been able to proactively prevent some of the incidents because of the strong collaboration we have with community structures and the CCTV cameras we have deployed throughout the city,” said Kaunda.

 

He reiterated government’s call that while it appreciates the anger among the people which was occasioned by the arrest of the former President, it is unacceptable to put the lives of other people at risk by embarking on violent public protest and destroy property. “We have full confidence in our law enforcement agencies that they will be able to contain the situation. We also call upon the people of eThekwini to exercise restraint and isolate opportunist who want to hijack these protests to achieve their criminal ends,” said Kaunda.

 

While the city is facing this difficult situation, Kaunda said that the Municipality will do its utmost best to minimise service delivery interruptions. “We would like to commend our law enforcement agencies for working around the clock to stabilise the situation across the city,” said Kaunda.

 

ENDS

 

Issued by eThekwini Municipality.