Ex-mayor fears for Inchanga community

FORMER eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo has downplayed his own security fears amid the renewed violence in his home village in Inchanga, outside Durban.

At a press conference in Durban yesterday, Nxumalo said his concern was the “honest people” being maimed in the area.

“My biggest worry is the community because we have no interest of our own as the SACP. Our interest is the masses and that is why as the SACP we called this (media briefing) to raise concerns,” Nxumalo said.

In the wake of the murder of seven people in Inchanga, the KwaZulu-Natal SACP chairman said he did not worry about his life.

“Myself, no, I’m not scared. I don’t have a problem. I have been there, but my main interest is the honest people being killed. That is why we call on police to arrest perpetrators so that they rot in jail,” he said, before calling on the city police to to protect the community rather than individuals.

Nxumalo said the city police he once oversaw as mayor no longer cared about him. He recounted how city police providing guard service at the home of a proportional representation councillor, Nokukhanya Gumede, about 300m away from his house, did not bother to ask about his well-being.

“You will be surprised I’m a former mayor, but they don’t worry.’”

Nxumalo said even when there were gunshots, “They don’t care. Just four months ago, myself and deputy chairperson (Nomvuzo Shabalala) were actually leading these metro police.

“These are the types of situations we are living under,’ Nxumalo said.