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Yesterday evening’s political party leaders briefing on the current state of anarchy within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) saw the provincial Premier, Sihle Zikalala, displaying all the signs of a leader out of touch with reality.

The meeting, which came at the DA’s request, was aimed at trying to find some leadership and direction from the Premier following the events of the past few days. Regrettably, what we got instead can only be described as a rabbit caught in the headlights, with the Premier frozen and unsure of his next move.

Other than his succinct summation of the cause of the lawlessness facing KZN, the Premier had no real understanding of what was unfolding. Sadly, he also had no real solutions other than to say that the anarchy and looting would soon dissolve.

Apart from the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Premier had no solutions. Clearly SANDF will only play a supporting role to SAPS.

Some of the questions posed to the Premier by the DA during yesterday evening’s briefing include;
· What, if any, crime intelligence exists within our security forces when just monitoring social media would have been an indication of what to expect?
· How many SAPS members are currently on the ground in KZN? How many SANDF are to be deployed in KZN?
· Why had SAPS run out of rubber bullets and ammunition?
· Why were tear gas and water cannons not used more extensively?
· Have those ANC members who incited this anarchy been arrested or charged?
· Why was there no police intervention at Nkandla where this disaster was conceived? Have any arrests or charges been laid?
· Where was KZN’s MEC of Safety and Security in all of this?

Shockingly, there was little or no response from the Premier on any of these critical issues, other than to note them. Is this the sign of a leader? With no answers and no solutions, the reality is that KZN has no proper leadership. Premier Zikalala and his executive have failed the people of our province.

The ANC and its provincial leadership including the Premier were caught sleeping, with the consequential result of anarchy in our province. Shame on you, Premier! Shame on your cabinet!

Our province has no leadership, no capable state. The result is that law-abiding citizens have had to take to the streets to protect their livelihoods and their families. This is all a symptom of a failed state under the ANC in the province. The DA has highlighted this on numerous occasions but with the lack of effective leadership, it has fallen on deaf ears.

KZN finds itself in this unprecedented position of lawlessness and anarchy because of ANC failures. The time for real change has come.

Issued by The DA