Durban — The ANC Moses Mabhida Region has reiterated its interest in curbing crime in Pietermaritzburg and has also hailed police and private security crime-fighting initiatives.
In a statement, regional spokesperson Njabulo Mtolo said: “The African National Congress in Moses Mabhida Region commends the concerted efforts of multidisciplinary joint operations by police and private security in fighting the scourge of criminality that has engulfed our region.”
Mtolo said a recent multidisciplinary operation took place during the week, which led to the arrest of seven suspects who were wanted for serious crimes, including murder.
They were arrested during an operation involving the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, Umgungundlovu Trio Task Team, National Stabilisation Team, Flying Squad and Magma Security.
These suspects, who were arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Cinderella Park (Pietermaritzburg), were wanted for murders that were committed in KwaPata, earlier in the week, where two men, aged 18 and 26, were shot and killed.
“This operation follows a number of other joint operations aimed at dealing with illegal immigrants, illegal firearms, drugs and other illegal activities in and around Pietermaritzburg, led by the South African Police Service and joined by other private security companies,” Mtolo said.
“As we have said before, it is only through unity that we can defeat this scourge and reclaim our streets again. We therefore reiterate our call for all our people to dedicate themselves to supporting and strengthening our street committees and CPFs working together with the police to fight against criminality in our communities.”
Commenting on the incident, police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said seven men were arrested with five firearms and linked to a double murder.
Gwala said the multidisciplinary team had proceeded to Cinderella Park in Mountain Rise after they received information regarding a group of suspects who were wanted for murders that were committed in Plessislaer. Upon arrival at the identified premises, police surrounded the house and identified themselves.
“Three suspects attempted to flee the scene and two of them pointed firearms at the police officers. Two suspects sustained injuries on the hip. Three suspects were successfully arrested and were found in possession of three firearms,” Gwala said.
She said the team entered the house and found four men inside in possession of two pistols, a jamming device and 14 rounds of ammunition.
“During the arrest, two suspects were found wearing shoes that were robbed from victims that were killed in KwaPata,” Gwala said.
She said the recovered firearms would be subjected to ballistic testing.
The suspects will also be profiled to check if they are linked to serious and violent cases reported in Umgungundlovu and surrounding areas.
Gwala said it is alleged that on Monday at 2.30pm, two men aged 18 and 26 were shot and killed at KwaPata. The victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were declared dead at the scene. The suspects also robbed the victims of their shoes.
She said the suspects, aged between 18 and 29, were expected to appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as the double murder.
Daily News