Strengthening Community and Business Security in Zululand
The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently held a productive meeting with the business community of the Zululand Region. This session aimed to share key outcomes from their discussions and reaffirm the commitment to ensuring safety and stability in the area. The business sector plays a crucial role in the region’s economic development, creating jobs and driving growth. However, crime remains a significant threat that can undermine these efforts.
The engagement was sparked by a meeting on 23 February, where President Cyril Ramaphosa and a government delegation met with the Durban business community. This dialogue focused on addressing challenges affecting the KwaZulu-Natal economy. As the Minister of Police, I participated in these discussions, which also included business leaders from the Zululand Region expressing concerns about safety issues impacting their livelihoods.
A commitment was made to hold further meetings with local businesses to find solutions for improving the crime situation. This morning, the Police Ministry and SAPS management, led by National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, engaged with the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by CEO Hlengiwe Mvubu. Through these discussions, it became clear that stabilizing the region and maintaining law and order must remain top priorities.
We agree that criminality cannot be tolerated and must be addressed through collaboration between businesses, civil society, and law enforcement. The SAPS has been closely monitoring the region since 2021, with provincial teams stationed there to investigate the crime situation. This includes a stabilisation team established in September 2022, which continues to operate in the area.
Case Management and Recoveries
To date, police teams on the ground have investigated 68 dockets. Of these, 43 accused individuals have been arrested for various charges, including murder, attempted murder, theft, trespassing, possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of firearms, fraud, and intimidation. Forty-seven of these cases are currently before the courts.
In terms of recoveries, 202 firearms have been removed from the streets over the past three years through the work of specialized teams deployed in the region. These include rifles, handguns, and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition. High-value drugs and seven vehicles have also been recovered during operations, some of which were used for criminal purposes.
These achievements demonstrate that the SAPS is actively working to bring stability to the region. Despite budgetary constraints, the SAPS remains committed to investigating all crimes and ensuring that those who engage in illegal activities are brought to justice.
Commitment to Stability and Growth
Ladies and gentlemen, conducting business should never be a death sentence. Businesses and communities should be able to operate and thrive without fear, and this remains a non-negotiable priority for us. The stabilization of three municipal districts within the Zululand region remains a top agenda item.
Although budgetary constraints have led to the scaling down of some operations, the administration has committed to ensuring that police continue their work across the entire region. National interventions will see additional funding allocated to bolster the efforts of specialized teams in the region, aiming to eliminate criminal activity.
This high-level intervention will translate into extra resources and improved policing in identified areas. It means that policing teams will be stationed in the region to remove criminal obstacles that hinder economic growth and threaten community safety.
These policing interventions will continue until communities in the Zululand region feel the change and no longer live or operate in fear.