Increasing crime in the eThekwini municipality, highlighted on Monday by two separate brutal killings, came under the spotlight in an emergency multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement hosted by the KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka
The meeting was convened to discuss collaborative crime fighting and prevention strategies in the province.
It included law enforcement agencies led by Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, representatives of private security companies and captains of industry.
Premier Dube-Ncube said the province has identified hotspots and will be urgently rolling out resources to combat crime, including the use of drone technology.
She said they had also enlisted the assistance of unemployed law graduates to assist police in police stations to gather evidence and take statements to ensure solid cases being sent to court.
Ms Dube-Ncube criticised NGOs for opposing government wanting to tighten laws for criminals.
“We are asking all these organisations to unite with government on these tougher laws as we believe that these laws must stay as they are helping deal with criminals rather than giving them rights that they don’t deserve. Because once you are a criminal and you make people suffer, you don’t deserve to be treated with kid gloves… you are supposed to face your crime and suffer for the crime that you have committed… not go some place and watch TV and have hot showers, when we don’t even have hot water,” said Ms Dube-Ncube.
On Monday, a Parlock businessman was shot and killed in what is believed to be a hit.
Dhiren Singh, 42, was found shot twice in his supermarket on Inanda Road, Parlock.
Several emergency and security service members responded to reports about a shooting at the business premises.
Police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said residents reported they had heard two gunshots and saw a blue Kwid vehicle with registration plates beginning with NT with two men, fleeing the scene.
“Police are investigating murder and believe this to be a hit as no items were stolen from Mr Singh or his business premises,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
Later on Monday evening, one person was killed and a second individual injured in a drive-by shooting on Lighthouse Road near Oceans Mall in Umhlanga Rocks.
Reaction Unit South Africa’s Prem Balram said a witness had contacted them requesting assistance.
“According to the frantic caller, the driver of a silver BMW was fired upon by the occupants of a second silver BMW. The critically injured driver thereafter collided into a light pole,” said Mr Balram.
He said his officers dispatched to the scene confirmed that the driver was fatally injured while his patient was being treated for a gunshot wound to his neck and leg.
Several high calibre spent cartridges were recovered at the scene.
SAPS spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said no items were stolen and the motive for the shooting was still being investigated.
