Send SANDF to eThekwini hot spots

WE, AS African Democratic Change (ADeC), request the government to halt protests, especially in the eThekwini region. It is difficult for law-abiding, tax-paying citizens to get to work when there are blockages of major roads during protest action. Also, many of the arterial roads/bridges have been washed away, which places extreme pressure on traffic during peak hours.

We are requesting the 10 000 defence force personnel to be placed around hot spots in the eThekwini region where protest action is happening daily. The taxpayers of eThekwini need to get to work on time so that they can earn a salary to pay taxes so that the protesters can have free water and electricity.

Also, the image of the SAPS has been tarnished over the past 12 years and our appeal to SAPS personnel who still have a conscience in serving its people is to capacitate your crime intelligence department so that the SAPS can have a reputation of proactive policing, rather than reactive policing. Crimes such as hijacking, robberies, murders, protest actions and looting can be prevented or reduced by having an efficient crime intelligence unit. In addition, the SAPS should not be known as a “service”. How can criminals receive a “service”? SAPS should be changed to Police Force and its members must be empowered to enforce the law, and the public must make sure that the police are doing their job or expose them if they are not doing their job.

Last, we want to highlight the response of the Disaster Management Team of eThekwini. We know that their response was seriously lacking in resources and staff. So, why was the SA Navy not included to augment the disaster management capabilities because they have boats, equipment and trained staff who can handle water rescues? The navy should have mobilised and been on standby from April 10. If qualified and skilled people are placed in these strategic positions, then the response or the loss of lives would have been minimal.

YUGEN MOODLEY | ADeC activist Durban