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The South African
14 hours ago
- The South African
KwaZulu-Natal rolls out mobile police stations to fight crime
In a move to ramp up the fight against crime, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has handed over four state-of-the-art mobile police stations – a strategic R6 million investment aimed at restoring safety in high-crime areas across the province. This landmark initiative is part of the Department of Community Safety and Liaison's ongoing efforts to enhance police visibility, boost response capacity, and deliver measurable crime prevention outcomes in known hotspot areas. The mobile units will be stationed in Inanda, Mbonambi, Bulwer, and Makhutha – areas that have consistently reported high levels of criminal activity. The mobile units were handed over this week to the police stations by Ntuli, in his capacity as the executive authority for the department of Community Safety and Liaison 'We want to see crime prevention interventions that yield real, measurable results. These mobile police stations will close the gap in service delivery and help restore community confidence in law enforcement,' Ntuli said. Equipped with modern operational technology, the mobile units will serve as fully functional on-site police contact point, allowing community members to report crimes, access essential police services, and engage directly with South African Police Service (SAPS) officers – all within their own neighbourhoods. The handover of mobile stations follows the department's 2024 fleet investment, which saw the delivery of 36 new patrol vehicles to the SAPS to address persistent challenges related to the shortage of crime-fighting resources in rural and high-density communities. 'We are working around the clock to ensure that community safety structures are operational, resourced, and active in supporting the work of SAPS. It is only through this integrated approach that we will turn the tide against crime,' Ntuli said. The Premier also called on the private sector to partner with government by providing financial and material support to voluntary crime-fighting structures like neighbourhood watches, street committees, and community policing forums. 'These brave men and women are on the frontlines every day. With more funding and training, they can do even more to safeguard our streets and support law enforcement efforts,' he said. The rollout of mobile police stations forms part of a growing portfolio of proactive safety interventions by the provincial government to build safer, more secure, and resilient communities throughout KwaZulu-Natal. The Department of Community Safety and Liaison reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships between communities, SAPS, and other key stakeholders to foster a safer KwaZulu-Natal. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
Thami Ntuli's urgent warning to KwaZulu-Natal businesses on undocumented workers
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli addresses officials during the inspection of a bakery in Umbilo, Durban. The purpose of the visit was to address concerns raised by intelligence reports regarding the employment of undocumented workers. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli issued a strong warning to businesses not to hire undocumented workers who are in the country illegally during Operation Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla on Friday. Ntuli was speaking during an unannounced raid on two companies, an accessories store and a clandestine bakery in Umbilo. Ntuli, in his role as the executive authority for Community Safety and Liaison, said people were now showing confidence in the police and were tipping off government officials and police on possible criminal acts and labour law transgressions. When the Department of Labour officials raided the accessories store, they discovered that 37 staff members were not registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The store's owner declined to speak to the media and did not wish to provide his name. Labour officials had taken down the details of all the workers. The owner was also warned by the government and given two weeks to comply with labour laws regarding the UIF. They were issued with compliance notices. Ntuli said that police were conducting similar raids daily throughout the province. A bakery was uncovered in a large building where biscuits were made. Here, Ntuli addressed staff about their rights as workers, adding that the conditions at the bakery were not hygienic or clean. 'I was informed by the police that the owner had fled from the bakery along with some employees. It means he knows that he was doing something wrong. Nine people were arrested for not having proper documents. From what we had seen, this was a massive operation that could be supplying the entire province,' Ntuli said. He was also concerned about employees working long hours and being paid salaries that are below the minimum wage. 'We urge those living in the province and country to acquire the proper documentation. If this place is found not to follow procedure, the inspection team will decide whether to shut down operations here,' Ntuli said. The warehouse did not have adequate signage on the exterior of the building, which was also a concern for government officials. 'We have so many people looking for a job. We urge owners not to flout the laws of the country. In the past, some owners were arrested. Situations like this unsettle people. Police are hard at work because of the leadership in the province,' Ntuli said. [email protected] Nine people were arrested at a bakery in Umbilo fot not having documentation to be in South Africa. Image: Zainul Dawood
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
KZN premier summoned to appear before portfolio committee
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has been summoned to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Office of the Premier, Community Safety and Liaison to give clarity on allegations that the youth manager in his office threatened to physically harm the former director general, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize. Portfolio Committee chair Mbali Frazer alleges that Mkhize's crime was to refuse to sign off an appointment letter related to the R100-million Youth Fund. ALSO READ: Embattled KZN director-general resigns 'We believe it will be an abdication of our responsibility not to allow the premier of the province to address these serious allegations in an appropriate platform,' said Frazer. 'We have written a letter to him requesting him to appear before the committee. As the committee responsible for playing an oversight role over the executive, we believe such allegations warrant our attention. 'The Office of the Premier has a critical role to play in terms of the co-ordination of the work of provincial government departments on service delivery. The destabilisation of the Office of the Premier in any form, including threats to physically harm a senior female civil servant, should be viewed in a serious light by all leaders of society across all political affiliations,' she said. The ANC Youth League strongly condemns the actions of Premier Thami Ntuli for allegedly shielding perpetrators of violence, particularly gender-based violence (GBV), within his administration. ANCYL KZN Provincial Secretary Lulama Mabude said they are appalled by these allegations. 'We fully support the Youth Fund initiative established by the former ANC premier, Numusa Dube-Ncube, to empower young people to thrive in business and contribute meaningfully to the economy. 'However, we categorically reject the misuse of these funds to benefit non-compliant applicants or those selected based on political affiliation. 'We demand an immediate halt to this process and call for a transparent, merit-based review to ensure funds serve their intended purpose of uplifting KZN's youth,' said Mabude. She added that the youth manager in question is alleged to have pressured Mkhize to approve these funds to benefit his political allies and associates, undermining the integrity of the Youth Fund. 'We will not tolerate government officials perpetuating GBV and escaping accountability. 'South African women and youth live in constant fear due to harassment and abuse, and the premier's office has failed to address these serious allegations,' said Mabude. Attempts to obtain comment from the Office of the Premier were unsuccessful at the time of going to print. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
