In a show of force‚ dozens of police swooped on the violence-plagued Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi‚ south of Durban on Friday.
Police vehicles closed access points at several roads in the hostel precinct‚ as simultaneous raids took place in seven different hostel blocks.
Two men were arrested for possession of illegal firearms — all handguns — and ammunition.
This brings to 47 the number of firearms seized in the precinct since September 2014. More 550 rounds of ammunition have also been confiscated in that period.
At least 62 people have been killed since April 2014‚ either at the precinct or elsewhere in a series of attacks and counter-attacks‚ according to activists.
South African Police Services spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed that arrests have been made in nine murder and six attempted murder cases.
While police have been criticised for a lack of action in dealing with the violence — including by residents who‚ last month‚ called for the United Nations Human Rights Commission to get involved — Naicker said such raids and operations were taking place almost weekly.
“Public order police from Johannesburg have been helping since last Friday at both hostels . They are here for three months‚ but that can be extended.
“Operations like this take place regularly. This is a show of force‚ that people can see there’s that capacity at act‚” said Naicker. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Police raid strife-torn Umlazi hostel
Police vehicles closed access points at several roads in the hostel precinct‚ as simultaneous raids took place in seven different hostel blocks.
Two men were arrested for possession of illegal firearms — all handguns — and ammunition.
This brings to 47 the number of firearms seized in the precinct since September 2014. More 550 rounds of ammunition have also been confiscated in that period.
At least 62 people have been killed since April 2014‚ either at the precinct or elsewhere in a series of attacks and counter-attacks‚ according to activists.
South African Police Services spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed that arrests have been made in nine murder and six attempted murder cases.
While police have been criticised for a lack of action in dealing with the violence — including by residents who‚ last month‚ called for the United Nations Human Rights Commission to get involved — Naicker said such raids and operations were taking place almost weekly.
“Public order police from Johannesburg have been helping since last Friday at both hostels . They are here for three months‚ but that can be extended.
“Operations like this take place regularly. This is a show of force‚ that people can see there’s that capacity at act‚” said Naicker. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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