Not all hostel killings have political motive: researcher
Research Associate at the Urban Futures Centre at the Durban University of Technology says the reasons behind hostel killings cannot be lumped under one umbrella.
Nomkhosi Gama, who has done research into the living conditions at the KwaMashu Hostel, says the killings there are not always politically-motivated as is commonly thought.
Gama says in many cases it is criminals who are taking advantage of what has become fertile ground for crime because of the over-populated conditions.
She says the KwaMashu hostel was created to accommodate around 20 000 people but is now home to a community of close to 100 000.
Gama says while CCTV cameras have been installed - the best way to deal with the violence is to involve community members and ensure their protection.
''Having things like an anonymous phone line would make a difference because hostel dwellers are not happy with the crime. Most of them are happy to assist the police officers in reducing the crime. The problem is the issue of protection for them. Another important issue the hostel dwellers are concerned about is policing. There should be satellite police stations in the hostel space.
Exactly two weeks ago five people were gunned down at the hostel after an unknown group of men entered the hostel and opened fire on the occupants of one of the rooms.
11 people were arrested and seven firearms recovered.
(File photo: Gallo Images)