Tensions are running high in Amaoti, north of Durban, as residents have once again taken to the streets, demanding urgent intervention to curb escalating crime in the area.
Protests began early Thursday morning, with community members marching through the township. Reaction Unit South Africa's Prem Balram confirmed that they started monitoring the situation after receiving multiple calls from concerned business owners in Verulam.
"At approximately 8 AM, we received reports of several hundred protesters on Jabu Ngcobo Road. Initially, they were headed towards Verulam CBD, but they have since turned into Zwelitsha, about four to five kilometres away," Balram said.
Law enforcement officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS), Metro Police, and private security companies are currently on the scene to monitor developments.
Deadly Crime Wave Sparks Unrest
This latest protest follows violent demonstrations earlier in the week, where nearly 2,000 residents blocked access to the area in response to recent killings.
On Saturday, three people were murdered in their homes, and just two days later, two more were shot dead in the street by unknown gunmen during Monday’s protest.
Community Demands Police Commissioner’s Intervention
Residents are now calling on KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to step in. Mbongeni Phewa, from the Inanda Community Policing Forum (CPF), expressed frustration over the lack of arrests.
"Criminals are doing as they please—brutally killing, raping, and robbing homes, yet they are not being arrested. This is what frustrates the community. The police can only do so much, which is why residents have decided to take a stand," Phewa said.
With tensions mounting and security forces on high alert, the community remains determined to bring attention to the crime crisis gripping Amaoti.