Cape Town — Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed he held an hours-long meeting with the councillors of different political parties held in Nongoma in KZN.
According to police, the Nongoma municipality in the Zululand District has seen increased attacks on councillors. This includes the murder of an NFP Councilor Ntombenhle Mchunu, the 75 year old was shot and killed while sleeping in the same bed with her grandchild in July this year.
In an attempt to douse the brewing deadly political tensions, Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the SAPS management led by National Commissioner General, Fannie Masemola on Thursday, 07 September 2023 held a security meeting with over 40 councillors from the contested Nongoma Local Municipality.
#PoliceMinistry Police Ministry and #SAPS Management strengthen policing in Nongoma. Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and #SAPSNPC, Gen Masemola yesterday held a security meeting with over 40 Councillors from the contested Nongoma Local Municipality. #PoliticalKillings ME… pic.twitter.com/xwxen0aVPF
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 8, 2023
During the lengthy security meeting, Minister Cele called for political tolerance from all political players but warned, that the law is closing in on those who choose violence instead of negotiations.
According to IOL, Cele was not Cele said he was not happy with what transpired during the meeting which was held behind closed doors and away from media cameras.
“We came here to talk with the people who are leaders and the people we think can have a solution. However, I must say that I found no joy, I don’t think we will have a solution to this any time soon from the councillors. There was finger-pointing, shouting and complaining about how things are,” Cele told the media after the briefing.
SABC News reported that KZN Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka outlines some of the steps that are being planned to combat political violence.
“We are going to assist the CPF, the Community Policing Forum. We are going to donate some of the cars. We are going to put CCTV in some of the areas, especially in hotspots. Nongoma is now part of the hotspots that we’ve identified. We can’t allow people to kill as if they are killing animals.”
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
