DURBAN - POLICE Minister Bheki Cele believes that there is still a long way to go to bring about peace and social cohesion between residents of Phoenix and the neighbouring settlements of Bhambayi, Amaoti and Zwelisha.
Cele raised these concerns during his visit to the areas yesterday. He met residents to provide feedback and also interact with them to ensure that communities are able to live together in harmony again.
The visit came after a number of people were killed in incidents in Phoenix during the unrest and looting spree last month.
Cele, accompanied by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Peggy Nkonyeni, made their first stop in Bhambayi to engage with the community. In that meeting, Cele told the community that progress had been made, with more than 36 people having been arrested in connection with murder and assault cases.
During a recent raid by the police in Phoenix, about 134 illegal firearms were found in the area, said Cele.
Three Phoenix police officers and seven private security companies from the area were being investigated in connection with the incidents, he said.
The communities raised concern that even though they were told about the arrests, they hadn’t seen the suspects being pictured either on television or in newspapers as was done with other crimes.
Cele said that he had engaged with the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola over the weekend and was assured that the media would be allowed into court for the cases.
The delegation also met the Amaoti and Zwelisha communities, before making their last stop at Phoenix, where a similar report was provided.
Residents from Inanda told Cele that they were worried about the safety of their children who go to schools in Phoenix.
They also stated that there was still tension on the ground between races, which needed to be addressed.
Other residents echoed the same sentiments and said there was a need to have one meeting with all communities involved to address this issue.
However, the meeting in Phoenix saw some residents insisting that those who had manned barricades in the area had acted in the best interest of their community.
Cele told Phoenix residents that if they failed to get their emotions under control, the situation could easily get out of hand.
“I don’t know why there is more anger here than in other places. People in areas that have a lot more victims than here are much calmer than you and want things to be resolved.
“They suffered the most. They are scared of sending their children to school and even scared to come here in this area for medical treatment. They lost their loved ones and yet, they still want peace,” said Cele.
He said that he was saddened that some were still not interested in bringing about peace and stability within the communities.
THE MERCURY