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Police Minister Bheki Cele, alongside KwaZulu-Premier Sihle Zikalala, held a media briefing on Tuesday, 3 August 2021, reflecting on the recent social unrest and events in Phoenix, KZN.
Cele noted, “During the unrest, Phoenix and surroundings became the epicentre of heinous criminal and racist incidents that resulted in brutal killings and injuries; horrendous damage to property; and untold pain and trauma.” In addition, he claimed officials trusted they would set the record straight, “by laying bare the facts – the TRUTH.”
Facts according to Police Minister Bheki Cele
On 12 July 2021, the community members in Phoenix set up blockades and patrolled the neighbourhood streets after the start of mass looting and unrest in Durban.
Some people in the community set up armed checkpoints at strategic access points to the area. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated, and soon the streets of Phoenix became crime scenes. Furthermore, Cele declared that the problem began when some people operating the checkpoints turned to vigilantism, racially profiling people, preventing their entry into the suburb. “This amounted to unlawful discrimination and a restriction of movement for mainly African people.”
According to police reports, a vehicle (bakkie) with no registration plates carrying looted items was stopped and searched at one of the checkpoints. The police minister noted that four male occupants of the bakkie fired shots at community members, who then returned fire. The four suspects fled into the bushes.
The shoot-out resulted in four African males sustaining gunshot wounds; one of them died on the scene, and their vehicle set alight.
Cele emphasised, “This incident, we believe, sparked other incidents of stoning and burning of vehicles and further violence including shootings, stabbings and assaults.”
In addition, the police minister claimed it is alleged that at these road closures in Phoenix, some motorists were robbed, and cars were ransacked. Irrespective of gender or age, Cele stated that some motorists were allegedly forcefully taken out of their motor vehicles and then assaulted with baseball bats, bricks and sticks. “Some people were even butchered with bush knives and other sharp instruments.” Adding to this, he says, some people were shot and killed, and their vehicles were set alight.
“Aside from the detailed police reports that I have seen, I have heard personal accounts of residents from neighbouring Bhambhayi, Zwelitsha and uMaoti. They have told me how they narrowly escaped death while trying to enter Phoenix to access clinics and local pharmacy.”
He also met with Phoenix community members, who have condemned these acts, and many are coming forward with information, assisting police investigations.
Deaths and arrests
According to the police minister, the events in Phoenix claimed the lives of 36 people.
According to Cele, investigations show:
- 30 of those killed were shot.
- Two were burnt to death.
- One was stabbed, and another was run over by a motor vehicle.
- Two others died from the brutal injuries they sustained after being assaulted.
In total, police are investigating 52 cases of attempted murder and probing nine cases of common assault and 16 cases of assault GBH. He further said, “Police investigations continue and these figures will be updated.”
A team of (31) experienced detectives from the province and national have been deployed to investigate, make arrests and attend court cases to ensure justice prevails. Working closely with the communities, their investigations have led to the arrest of 22 suspects thus far.
Some of these suspects are allegedly connected to several murder cases, while others face charges relating to attempted murder, malicious damage to property, and defeating the ends of justice.
Security industry
Detectives are also apparently investigating the role of private security firms in the violence.
Working closely with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), the team of investigators have seized 152 firearms from four private security companies operating in the area.
Moreover, 112 illegal firearms were seized during police operations in Phoenix. The seizure of these firearms is within the ambit of the Firearms Controls Act, and the guns have been sent for ballistic analysis.
Stability
Cele noted that calm has returned to the province of KZN, and Government’s Security Cluster has marshalled all its resources to restore stability. This, according to him, was achieved through the collaborative efforts of multifaceted forces.
This includes the SANDF providing support to the SAPS and its specialised units such as Public Order Police, Tactical Response Teams (TRT), and Metro Police deployed daily to the areas of Phoenix, Bhambayi, Zwelitsha and uMaoti. However, teams remain on high alert.
I guess the only thing left now for Cele is to arrest the people behind the looting, aka the people who led one of the most significant acts of terrorism seen in South Africa. Something, one would have thought more pressing than the above.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your views in the comment section below.
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