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The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) strongly condemns the recent actions of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and her Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, following the recent pledge of tools of trade to various Community Policing Forums (CPFs).

The event, which masqueraded as a crime-fighting initiative, took place at Durban’s Hoy Park and saw brand-new vehicles, fuel and other equipment promised in what was clearly an ANC political stunt ahead of the May elections.

While the DA supports all crime-fighting initiatives, government has yet again failed to address the root of the problem – the complete dysfunctionality of many SAPS stations in KZN.

The Premier and her MEC’s first focus should be capacitating SAPS in terms of manpower, basic services such as electricity and water and serviceable vehicles. A dysfunctional SAPS cannot support and assist CPFs, they cannot tackle crime and they cannot help our people.

The prioritisation of party politics over real world functionality, has become a hallmark of KZN’s Taliban faction ANC government under Premier Dube-Ncube.

The decline of KZN’s SAPS stations is glaringly obvious. Insuze SAPS station in Ilembe KwaMashu is just one example of how the rot in policing has spread. This as the ANC uses CPF structures for their political needs.

At Glendale police station, also in Ilembe, there is not enough diesel to run the generator during loadshedding – if it works at all. There, SAPS officers are forced to use cell phones as a means of light, making them even more vulnerable under already dangerous conditions.

In other parts of KZN, some SAPS stations are still located in containers, with no vehicles to attend to community needs and a lack of human resources.

The ANC’s arrogance knows no bounds and it would come as no surprise to see the vehicles promised to CPFs being used for campaigning purposes in KZN.

It is for this reason that we have submitted written parliamentary questions (view here) to the Office of the Premier (OTP). We also urge CPFs to keep us updated on whether they in fact receive the vehicles and other tools.

The Premier has made many empty promises to KZN’s people as she tries to assure them that her government is committed to fighting crime. Time is running out for her to fulfil them before she vacates her office after the 29 May election.

Issued by Sithembiso Ngema, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison