MEDIA STATEMENT

WE MUST PUT AN END TO THESE SENSELESS KILLINGS

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Safety and Security, Mr Bheki Cele, has urged the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that we put an end to the recent number of senseless killings.

Cele was referring to the number of murders and road crashes that have claimed the lives of at least nine people in the past 48 hours in the province.

In the early hours of this morning Inspector Mjabuleleni Ngema (38 years) stationed at Empangeni South African Police Service (SAPS) was shot and killed near Esikhawini in Empangeni and robbed of his service pistol. Ngema was off-duty at the time of the shooting. No arrests have been made as yet.

At about 22h30 last night at Ekuvukeni near Ladysmith, Linda Mgaga (32 years) and Thulani Twala (30 years) were shot and killed by unknown gunmen whilst sitting in a BMW that was parked on the side of the road. An AK47 was used and 29 spent cartridges were found on the scene. No arrests have been made as yet.

At about 20h00 last night (21 May 2004) on the N3 at Shongweni near Durban the driver of a car was killed when he apparently lost control of the vehicle and overturned.

Also yesterday (21 May 2004) at about midday on the R103 between Empageni and Dundee four people were killed and several others injured when the driver of a taxi lost control and overturned.

In the early hours of yesterday (21 May 2004) morning the driver of a truck was shot and killed during a robbery near St. Lucia Estate in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

On Thursday (20 May 2004) at approximately 13h00 one person was killed and several others injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on a taxi on the N2 near Amanzimtoti south of Durban.

"I want to warn izinkabi (hit men), reckless and negligent drivers and other criminals that I will not tolerate these callous murders and senseless killings. I have instructed the Heads of the respective law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that these criminals are arrested and put behind bars. Together with the SAPS and the Transport Department's Public Transport Enforcement Unit (PTEU) we have appointed a special task team to deal specifically with these crimes. I want to warn these criminals that their days are numbered and they will be caught and face the consequences for their actions," Cele said.

Cele has also called upon communities and civic organisations such as religious bodies, taxi associations, community policing forums, road safety councils and so on to help law enforcement agencies in this regard. "I am working hard to ensure that community policing gets the recognition that it deserves and that it takes its rightful place once again. We need the support and co-operation of the public to ensure that our policing initiatives are effective and sustainable. I therefore call on members of the public to please come forward with any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of these criminals. Road traffic offences may be reported to our Mpimpa Hotline on 086 221 1010 and other crime to the SAPS toll free number 10111," said Cele.

Meanwhile, Mr Bheki Cele will deliver the keynote address at a road safety prayer day to be held at the Mthwalume Sports Grounds, Mthwalume tomorrow (Sunday 23 May 2004) at 10h00. All media are invited to attend. For transport please contact Mdu Msawuli on 083 646 9726.

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