Madam Deputy Speaker, the high level of crime in Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal has resulted in residents, frustrated by the lack of leadership at their local police station, taking to the streets to vent their anger.
The tipping point was the tragic murder of local matric learner, Llewelyn Bond, during a hijacking last week. While the number of murders dropped overall in South Africa during the last reporting period, the number of murders in Pinetown increased.
In addition, the residents of this west-Durban suburb suffered a 60% increase in burglaries at residential premises. The Pinetown police station, like so many police stations around South Africa, faces chronic shortages of resources. Its vehicle complement is 50% of what it should be, while its staff complement is only 70% of what it should be.
It is pleasing that Llewelyn's murderers were apprehended, but this will bring little comfort to his family or the community. The murder should never have happened.
Crime-prevention efforts in Pinetown are weak. The fault cannot be laid at the door of the community policing forum, the CPF, which has members who are engaged and who want to be part of the solution.
On Sunday, over 500 community members gathered in the town hall to express their anger. They want the station commander, Brigadier Zama, removed from his position. I have a petition which I will be giving to the Minister.
The DA supports this call. We urge the national and provincial commissioners and the Minister of Police to install an experienced and capable commander, and to ensure that he or she is given the resources to achieve the security that the residents of Pinetown are entitled to. I thank you. [Applause.]