KwaZulu-Natal Premier addresses violence in KwaMashu Hostel

In response to an incident that left a man dead and two others seriously injured at the KwaMashu hostels on Friday, KwaZulu-Natal's Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, subsequently convened an urgent meeting with chairpersons (induna) of the blocks at the dwelling.

They gathered to quell tensions rising from deep-rooted disputes that are politically motivated and have resulted in numerous other deaths previously.

The recent incident has instilled fear among the residents, who called for urgent intervention from the provincial government's leadership and law enforcement agencies.

Premier Ntuli addressed the community on Saturday and reiterated the importance of safety and collective action to restore peace and stability in the area.

“We must ensure that the hostel must remain free from drugs, criminal activity, and all forms of violence. “I appeal to the community to work together to shield the hostel from criminal networks and individuals who seek to benefit from disorder,” said Ntuli.

During the engagement, anxiety about conditions in the hostel became a moot point. Residents like Musa Nkosi voiced his concerns about the proliferation of informal settlements in close proximity to the hostel.

“In the hostel, people are dying every day. We wish our hostel could be fenced and that entrances could be properly controlled without fear. “Some individuals, including certain foreign nationals involved in unlawful activities, are turning it into a death trap,” Nkosi lamented.

Issues of political violence were also raised, with Siyabonga Mtshali warning that some political leaders are reportedly employing izinkabi (hitmen) to maintain their power. This culture of intimidation has made ordinary residents feel vulnerable. “We need to confront this culture, as it is putting our lives in danger,” Mtshali stated.

Premier Ntuli reinforced his dedication to enhancing security measures while encouraging cooperation between the community and law enforcement.

“The provincial administration will not allow KwaMashu Hostel or any community in KwaZulu-Natal to remain trapped in fear,” he declared, promising to confront violence, intimidation, and criminality with urgency and determination.

Violence linked to politics extends beyond the KwaMashu hostel dwelling. KwaZulu-Natal has a history of political unrest, with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) documenting at least ten politically motivated assassinations between January and April 2024 alone.

A report titled The Politics of Murder: Criminal Governance and Targeted Killings in South Africa by GI-TOC suggests an ominous trend, indicating that political assassinations, particularly in KZN, spike during election years.

With crucial national elections scheduled for next year, concerns are mounting. “These incidents increase as control is potentially challenged and resisted through violence,” the report states.

DAILY NEWS