Proactive public education, intensive training, creating meaningful economic opportunities for the youth and mobilising the private sector to address specific resources challenges were some of the strategies by the KwaZulu-Natal government in a bid to eradicate crime.
KZN premier Thamsanqa Ntuli addressed the Council Against Crime Strategic Planning Session on Saturday and Sunday, aimed at providing a platform for meaningful engagement, allowing the province to identify and refine strategies that will strengthen crime-fighting efforts.
The two-day session was attended by members of the Executive Council, mayors, traditional leaders, and various crime-fighting stakeholders.
Ntuli said it is evident that crime is not just a policing issue, but a societal challenge that requires a united front from government, law enforcement, business, civil society and every citizen.
He urged all stakeholders, from government to law enforcement, business, and communities, to commit themselves fully to the implementation of the crime-fighting resolutions.
“The fight against crime cannot be won by government and law enforcement alone. It requires a united front—every leader, every community member, and every sector of society must play their part,” Ntuli said.
Ntuli said crime is often fuelled by socio-economic hardships, particularly among the youth.
To address these, the focus will be on creating meaningful economic opportunities.
“Our focus will be on establishing Youth Leadership Ambassadors to drive anti-crime initiatives. Recognising youth-led anti-crime programs that actively promote safety in communities. Collaborating with EPWP and SETA programs to provide skills training and employment opportunities. Reprioritising government programs to stimulate economic activity, ensuring that our youth are empowered with alternatives to crime,” he said.
Ntuli mobilised for “real, tangible” action to be taken in Inanda and across the province. According to crime stats, Inanda continues to rank high in the country for various crimes including rape and murder.
“As provincial government we are hosting a Crime Fighting Imbizo in Inanda which will be used to assure the people of Inanda provincial government’s commitment to make their area safe. We are going to end crime in Inanda. All the crime formations that have been established will end. No West Gang will ever exist in our lifetime. Crime will not define our communities—we will. We will stand together, we will protect our people, and we will ensure that KwaZulu-Natal is a province of safety, security, and prosperity,” Ntuli said.
“We will strengthen community safety structures by ensuring they receive intensive training and the necessary support to function effectively.”
The crime-fighting efforts will also include enabling mass community mobilisation, sharing critical information, and reviving Mpimpa hotlines to provide safe channels for whistleblowers—ensuring that those who report crime are protected, he said.
He said the government will continue to invest in proactive public education.
“Our Community Safety Campaign will be central to this, focusing on moral regeneration, heightened education, and the revitalisation of Ubuntu—a principle that binds us in respect and shared responsibility. We need to remind our communities that safety starts with each one of us,” Ntuli said.
Rural safety will also be prioritised, as stock theft continues to threaten the economic livelihoods of the rural people.
“The scourge of Gender-Based Violence remains one of our most pressing challenges. We will intensify our GBV campaigns, leveraging technology by launching a Digital App and a hotline that will assist in reporting and tracking cases.”
The provincial government committed to ensuring that identified buildings are made available to house forensic units dedicated to handling GBV cases with sensitivity and urgency.
KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said it was not a ploy to kill suspects, adding that the police on Friday during the operations arrested one of the West Gang members in Inanda. He added that if there is no fight, police arrest the suspects.
“He did not put up a fight and as a result, he was arrested and is going to appear in court soon. The unfortunate incident of yesterday (Saturday) was because those (suspects) were engaging the police,” Mkhwanazi said about an incident where three suspects were killed in Inanda.
Siyanda Biyela Provincial Secretary of the Community Police Forum, said communities were grappling with broken family structures, high teenage pregnancy rates and high levels of poverty.
He highlighted the need for communities to resist being part of the market where stolen goods are being sold.
