The ANC has requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa deploy soldiers in the northern parts of eThekwini, including Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu, to combat severe crime that has led some residents to abandon their homes. eThekwini Municipal Council Speaker Thabani Nyawose stated that crime is a significant concern in these areas, affecting ANC volunteers and members. He appealed to Ramaphosa to assess the possibility of deploying soldiers to assist the police in fighting crime.
According to Nyawose, crime in these areas has become so severe that some people have moved away from their homes, and ANC volunteers cannot attend meetings late at night. He made these remarks during a meeting where President Ramaphosa addressed ANC volunteers following door-to-door campaigns in parts of eThekwini. The President's engagement with volunteers aimed to boost morale and discuss key issues affecting the municipality.
However, David Bruce, an independent researcher on policing, believes that the call for military deployment might be more related to electioneering than a genuine effort to improve safety. He suggests that strengthening policing and making more effective use of available police resources would be a better long-term investment. Bruce notes that there are already two police services active in eThekwini: the SAPS and the Metro Police.
Bruce emphasizes that improving coordination between police personnel and resources, as well as making better use of crime information, would be more beneficial than deploying soldiers. He views the potential military deployment as a distraction from the main challenge of improving policing. In contrast, Nyawose outlined several key threats facing the ANC ahead of the upcoming local government elections, including water problems and crime.
Nyawose expressed confidence that the ANC would win in eThekwini, citing the success of their campaign efforts. He highlighted that the main challenge facing the municipality is the water supply, which affects 42 wards. The ANC has plans and programs in place to address the issue, and Nyawose is optimistic about their chances in the upcoming election.
ANC convenor Mike Mabuyakhulu reiterated Nyawose's confidence in the party's chances, mentioning the success of their Sibuyelekhaya program, which encouraged former members to return to the party. Mabuyakhulu stated that the program has been successful, with people returning to the ANC from other parties. President Ramaphosa also expressed confidence in the ANC's prospects, highlighting the successes of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group over the past two years.
Ramaphosa noted that the ANC works well when it is fully in charge and that their branches must be strong to achieve this. He emphasized that the elections are a step towards regaining control in 2029 and that the party is approaching the elections with confidence. Ramaphosa highlighted the visible progress in eThekwini, citing the municipality's transformation into a construction site with various development projects underway.
Key points
- The ANC has requested the deployment of soldiers in eThekwini to combat severe crime in the northern parts of the city.
- An independent researcher believes that strengthening policing and making better use of police resources would be a more effective long-term solution than deploying soldiers.
- The ANC is confident about winning the upcoming local government elections in eThekwini, citing the success of their campaign efforts and programs.
