NKOSIKHONA CELE
THE community of Inanda is frustrated by the high level of crime in the area and what they call the police’s inefficiencies, which have given rise to vigilantism.
This follows an incident where five men who are suspected to be part of a criminal gang that was terrorising the community were hacked to death in Bhambayi, Inanda, two weeks ago.
Twelve members of the community were arrested and appeared at the Ntuzuma Magistrate Court.
Some of the residents point their fingers at the police for failing to assist them when they open cases.
Zakhele Hlongwane of Bhambayi said his house was burgled last year, and the thieves took everything.
He was also assaulted during that invasion, and he suffered injuries that needed hospital attention.
"When I went to the police to open a case, they told me to come back later because they were busy with something else. I took a decision not to go back," said Hlongwane.
Another Inanda resident, Mswawenkosi Ndimande, of Amaoti, said in June last year, seven men entered his house and assaulted him and took R6000 in cash.
"What hurts the most is that the police did nothing to assist me. A case was opened, but after two months they said the case has been withdrawn," said Ndimande.
Another resident from Bhambhayi who asked her identity to be protected said this month two men entered her house and forced them to strip down.
They were saved by their screams, which alerted their neighbours, who came to their rescue.
"I can't forget that day. All three of us were stripped naked; we were saved by the arrival of the community," said the woman.
She described Inanda as a place that has been taken over by ruthless thugs who don't value human life.
Mzwandile Dube from Amaoti said a few years ago, there were more than 59 people who were mugged every morning on their way to work.
He said these incidents decreased after they had a community meeting where it was agreed that a group of men should accompany those who were going to work.
One of those who were arrested for the murder of the five men who were hacked to death allegedly had his house burgled, and two of his daughters were raped in front of him.