Video: E Cape’s grisly toll in KZN hostel killings
They were killed at the 110 hostel complex at Glebelands which houses about 20000 industrial workers, Ethekwini Metro employees and the unemployed in Umlazi township.
The hostel is known as an ANC stronghold in the metro.
The victims’ only sin appears to be their reluctance to be part of a mafia-like protection racket run by certain individuals allegedly led by a man, whose name is known to the Dispatch.
Hundreds of thousands of rands are being extorted from hostel workers’ wages every month, a Saturday Dispatch investigative team was told.
The Saturday Dispatch can reveal that 42 (79%) of the dead are men from Eastern Cape towns and villages, mostly in Pondoland.
A Saturday Dispatch team spent last week at Glebelands and discovered that many workers hailed from villages around Bizana, Lusikisiki, Mthatha, Matatiele and Harding.
The high number of Eastern Cape victims sent shock waves through the corridors of power in the Eastern Cape.
Mandisa Titi, spokeswoman for Premier Phumulo Masualle, reacted: “This is shocking! We are going to pay attention and attend to this. The number (of dead) you mention is shocking. It’s saddening.”
One survivor pleaded for government intervention from both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
“We are being slaughtered by hitmen hired to wipe us out because we unanimously said that we won’t be paying the protection money. That was the start of the war. Over R200000 every month is paid, but who benefits?
“It’s a weekly donation; people have to pay between R50 and R100, and if you don’t pay you’re evicted or threatened with death. Many have died, or are in hiding and some are displaced.”
Another source, who wept, said the killers were known to the police.
“We have children who could be killed as bullets fly at any time of the day. Those kids don’t understand what is going on and they are traumatised. Who is next to be killed? It could be me.”
Block R is predominantly occupied by AmaMpondo people, many of whom have died. Another two hostel workers were shot on Thursday night, one from Matatiele. Both are in a critical condition.
A source told the Dispatch five people had been slain outside block R while six others from the same block have been killed in so-called “no-go zone” areas.
KwaZulu-Natal’s violence monitor Mary de Haas said: “Issues here are service delivery, paying of protection fees and calling for an end to corruption. The provincial ANC leaders must listen to the people to speedily solve this violence as it is slipping away from the police.”
KZN police spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker said: “We believe that only with the intervention of government, municipalities, communities, NGOs and security forces, will we have lasting peace.”
He declined to confirm or deny the number of Eastern Cape dead.
A police task force has been assigned to investigate criminal cases in Glebelands. “We are investigating a number of murders, attempted murders, intimidation, pointing of firearms, possession of unlicensed firearms and malicious damage to property,” Naicker said. Ten suspects had been arrested.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesman, Robbie Raburabu, confirmed they were investigating six cases against police.
Sources have alleged that police members are involved in torturing workers and are allegedly working hand-in-glove with the criminals.
Ethekwini Metro Municipality spokesman, Thozi Mthethwa, said Premier Senzo Mchunu and Mayor James Nxumalo were concerned and security measures were being implemented.
Two peace rallies and an imbizo were planned.