Residents of crime-ridden Mariannhill call for more police visibility
Residents of Mariannhill are demanding a heavier police presence to curb what they say are unacceptable crime levels in their neighbourhoods.
Another community Imbizo was held in the area, west of Durban on Thursday, a week after nine suspects were killed in a shootout with police.
Police say the group had been terrorising the community and had been wanted for various violent crimes.
Residents aired their frustrations to Police Minister Bheki Cele, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
READ: Mariannhill CPF says many homes empty due to crime rate
They said criminals have been on a rampage, robbing them on the streets and attacking them in their homes.
"We need more sport, arts and culture activities in our community, so that young people have something to keep them off the streets. We have a problem of crime in Desai, because police are not arresting criminals. Residents report crime but no one is arrested," one man said.
"Last week's shootout is not the end of the story. You will soon hear minister of other stories of gangs forcing residents to pay 'tax' for having tenants or that run businesses in their yards. It’s really difficult being a resident living in Mariannhill."
ALSO READ: Ipid probing deadly Mariannhill shootout
Another resident said there aren't enough police resources.
"There are many children that have died on the street due to crime in our community. Sometimes we go to the KwaDengezi police station and receive no help. All we ask for is for more mobile police station because our community in KwaDengezi is very big."
A grieving community member asked the police minister to intervene in the murder case of a relative.
"We are in pain as a family because we haven't been able to bury our mother for three months now. We were initially told it would take three weeks for investigations and for her body to be released, that hasn't been the case. The officers investigating my mother’s murder are dragging their feet, please intervene."
NOW READ: Police top brass back in Mariannhill after mass shooting
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