Crime summit: KZN Premier urges public to work with police
KZN Premier Willies Mchunu has urged municipalities to set aside a budget for crime fighting initiatives.
He spoke at the Provincial Crime Summit currently underway at the Dube Trade Port's Latitude Conference Centre.
He says municipalities can combat crime in their districts if a proper budget for crime fighting initiatives are in place.
The Premier has also encouraged citizens to work hand-in-hand with police.
Speaking at the summit - Johan Burger from the Institute for Security Studies said KZN's average murder rate is six times more than that of the international average.
The province's average is measured at 36 per 100 000 people while South Africa's average is 34, he said.
Meanwhile, some Durban Community Policing Forums have welcomed the two-day event - saying they are disappointed they weren't told about it.
The Durban North CPF's Haden Searles says they would have liked to have been part of the summit as the fight against crime has to start at grass root level.
"It's nice to have conferences together with experts and it would be great to be there and listen. At the same time, we need action. The communities need to mobilise and this is where we hit the brick wall," he said.