KZN VIP Specialised Services Unit was deployed to the Brookdale and Trenancemanor areas on Monday to ensure community safety amidst unrest caused by protest action in the neighbouring Amaoti area.
KZN VIP spokesperson, Gareth Naidoo, said: “The KZN VIP control centre received multiple calls from concerned residents seeking assistance following the protest, which has tragically resulted in fatalities and ongoing searches for armed suspects believed to be terrorising the community of Amaoti. As a result of the protest, residents have faced significant disruptions, including restrictions on mobility to their workplaces and closed traffic routes, further escalating concerns of safety and accessibility. KZN VIP Specialised Services are actively patrolling the areas, offering reassurance and providing any necessary support to those affected.”
The protest in Amaoti was allegedly linked to the killing of three tenants who were robbed and fatally shot over the weekend. Angry community members blockaded all exit and entry points from the early hours of Monday morning, calling on police to intervene and do something about the high crime rate and daily killings.
A woman sustained a gunshot wound after a shooting took place in the area on Monday. Around midday, two people from the community were also shot and killed in the area, which had resembled a war zone.
CPF chairperson, Mbongeni Phewa, said: “These criminals are so brazen, it’s shocking that two more people have been killed in front of a police officer and angry members of the community. We need the intervention of the police minister as the situation continues to get worse every day. We are really dealing with a big problem, the situation is completely out of hand now. We’ve been complaining about the increasing crime rate and killings but have received no positive outcome from the Inanda police.”
There was a high police presence and heavily armed officers in the area towards the afternoon. Members of the community also carried various weapons to protect themselves from the criminals. The community called for the deploym
