The residents of Inanda say their area is a war zone.
The township about 24km northwest of Durban is engulfed in a trail of blood as “young boys” embark on a crime spree.
“We are being terrorised by young boys who are heavily armed. They are out on a hijacking spree, breaking into homes and spaza shops and forcefully taking valuables. They don’t hesitate to kill. In the recent weeks, we began seeing a new phenomenon. These boys are now hunting down members of the community policing forums (CPFs) and other community members they suspect of being police informants,” a worried Sqiniseko Ngema, a member of the local CPF tells Sunday World.
Six people shot dead last week
Seven days ago, six people were shot dead in the township’s Amaoti area on Sunday and Monday. The running battles are between criminal gangs and the gatvol community members. The volatile situation has also spilled over into the schools which had to close all week. Angry residents embarked on a violent protest accusing police of inaction.
“We now want the army deployed here. We are being massacred. These thugs are known and they must be driven out. They stand between the community and their peace. We are not scared, we can take the law into our own hands if police won’t assist us. Some of us have lost relatives to these scavengers,” charged Ntombekhaya Msiya.
She would not give the details on what led to the death of her son and brother.
My brother died like a dog
“They killed my brother like a dog accusing him of exposing them to police,” she said.
A big sign hanging over the road into the township with the words ‘Woza Enanda’ gives a false impression. The township is far from the place to be. It used to be a draw card for visitors but the mood quickly turns sombre as you walk deeper into the area. Locals murmur among themselves bemoaning the crime and mistrust that has the residents wary of speaking to strangers.
One fruit and vegetable vendor remarks: “Ikwasathane la, kusa uphila ntambama usuyidumbu [This is hell, one moment you’re alive, the next you’re dead].”
According to recent crime statistics, although no longer the country’s crime capital, Inanda ranked in the top 30 for murder in the country. From July to September last year, Inanda topped this category with 81 murders. A rise from 76 in the same period in 2023.
Teenage gangs cause of problem
Mbongeni Phewa, chair of the local police forum, said teenage gang members were at the heart of Inanda crime problem.
“We wake up everyday to corpses in our backyard. Hardly a day goes by without a murder. We cannot blame the people for being angry and taking the law into their own hands. Teenagers as young as 17 carry guns in broad daylight. Crime and gang-life have become their way of life. Something drastic needs to be done,” said Phewa.
Sunday World has learnt that the community cried out to the KZN office of the premier during a crime imbizo earlier this year. In the heated meeting, locals poured their hearts out. They accused police of aiding and abetting the criminal gangs terrorising them.
“Senior police are working with criminals running extortion and hijacking rings. Criminals are protected by police. Some of them even have access to police vehicles and uniforms because they are in police regalia when they commit crime,” said one community leader.
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