ESCALATING CRIME IN AMAOTI

11 MARCH 2025
TO ALL MEDIA
FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE

Subject: Escalating Crime in Amaoti.

We remain extremely worried about the violent crime perpetrated against innocent people in Amaoti, Inanda and other areas.

Following the recent murder of three men, the shooting of a woman, and a community protest in Amaoti, something drastic must be done by relevant authorities to turn around the situation.

In particular, the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, together with the Office of the Premier, should be on the side of local vulnerable members of the community during this period.
The co-ordinating role of the Office of the Premier becomes critical in terms of the deployment of resources and the rollout of tangible programs that must end the pervasive culture of violence in the affected areas.

The mushrooming of youth gangs, extortion, drug trafficking, alcohol, and substance abuse has contributed to the ongoing crime and violence.
This could be traced to the high school dropout rates and the lack of recreational and skills development activities for the youth.

An integrated approach involving both Office of the Premier and the Department of Community Safety and Liaison should be introduced and used to end the scourge whilst addressing the psychological impact of crime on communities.
The resources in the possession of both departments must be used to make a difference for the vulnerable members of communities, especially women, children, the youth, and senior citizens.

While the role of the police is critical in the fight against crime, the two departments have an equal responsibility in creating an environment that would result in the reduction or eradication of crime.

Moving forward, the Office of the Premier should be seized with the co-ordination of the work of government departments in order to accelerate service delivery interventions in the Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu and other area.

The Department of Community and Liaison must establish a central safety co-ordination team with safety initiatives being introduced and implemented urgently.

The lack of action and tangible programmes in the area will result in the creation of a pool of young people from which hardened criminals recruit. The Committee will visit these areas as soon as possible.

End

Issued by Hon Mbali Frazer
Chair of the Portfolio Committee: Premier, Community Safety and Liaison
078 300 5259