Six lives lost during a community-led peace march against crime, sparking urgent calls for government intervention.
Image: Supplied / RUSA
Six people were killed in a hail of bullets in Amaoti, Inanda, outside Durban this week.
The shooting incidents took place on Sunday and Monday.
The killings which took place during and after a peace march, have intensified calls for urgent government intervention.
According to residents, the community had organised a peace march to protest the relentless killings in Amaoti.
Frustrated by what they describe as police inaction, they sought direct engagement with the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, hoping for a solution.
“One of our members called the minister, and he responded that he would come to address the issue,” a community member stated.
“While waiting, some people went home to freshen up and get food. Then, at around 11am, gunshots rang out, followed by screams. When we rushed outside, we saw three bodies lying on the street.”
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Residents expressed deep fear for their safety, saying violent deaths have become a grim routine in their area. Schools have been forced to close, and children are being kept indoors for their safety.
The Community Policing Forum (CPF) painted a dire picture of crime in Amaoti. According to CPF chairperson Mbongeni Phewa, 11 people were killed in just the last two weeks of February and the first two weeks of March. The death toll climbed further over the past two days with the killings at the peace march and two additional murders on Sunday night, bringing the total to 16.
“We bury someone almost every day here,” Phewa said.
“We know these criminals — they live among us, and their families know them.”
He attributed the violence to drug abuse and the influence of muti rituals, which some perpetrators allegedly use for protection.
CPF representatives confirmed that they had contacted Minister Mchunu, requesting his presence to address the crisis. However, due to other commitments, he was unable to attend and sent a representative instead.
During a meeting with the minister’s envoy, the CPF made urgent demands for increased police patrols in the area. They also called for military intervention if police efforts prove insufficient, requesting that soldiers be deployed for at least six months to stabilise the community.
Phewa further pointed to load shedding as a contributing factor to the violence.
“Every time the power goes out, someone gets killed,” he said, highlighting how criminals exploit darkness to carry out attacks.
The most recent victims of the violence were identified as Bonginkosi Dladla, 44, Simon Mofokeng, 34, and Sanele Khumalo. Another person was injured in Monday’s attack.
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal condemned the killings, particularly since some of the victims were linked to the CPF. ANC KZN Provincial Task Team (PTT) coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on community crime activists.
“Such acts of violence not only rob families of their loved ones but also undermine the collective efforts of communities striving for safety and security,” he said.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and stand in solidarity with the Amaoti community during this profoundly difficult time.”
The ANC has called on law enforcement to act swiftly in ensuring that the perpetrators face justice. The party also reiterated the urgent need for stronger protection policies for community crime fighters, a concern previously raised by Mchunu.
''Mchunu and the provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi must immediately roll-out the programme to protect community anti-crime activists who are targets of criminals,'' said Mabuyakhulu.
IOL reached out to the police for comment, however they hadn't responded in time for publication, the story will be updated once comment has been provided.
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