KZN townships ‘worse off for crime’

Durban - The wave of house robberies and break-ins sweeping the upper Highway area, leaving victims in hospital or dead, has created a frenzy of media and police attention - and justifiably so.

But the suffering of residents in the townships in the area has gone relatively unnoticed until now. Last year’s police statistics indicate they have endured more loss and pain at the hands of criminals than their affluent neighbours.

Statistics for crimes such as murder and rape are much higher in KwaDabeka, KwaDengezi and Mariannhill than Hillcrest, Westville and Pinetown. However, property-related crimes in the latter areas far exceed those reported in the townships.

KwaDabeka, KwaDengezi, and Mariannhill recorded 127 murders in the 2011/2012 compared to 36 murders in Hillcrest (which includes Gillitts, Waterfall and Embo), Westville and Pinetown (which includes Kloof).

Mariannhill had 61 murders, while Westville had two.

Clermont residents said they were living in fear because house robberies, murders and rape were rife.

Businessman Hamilton Mchunu was shot dead early last month in an armed robbery as he left his All In One Hotel. It is believed the criminals got away with R120 000.

Nicholas Nqwili, the deputy chairperson of the community police forum (CPF) at the KwaDabeka police station, which also polices Clermont, said crime increased in the area last year.

He blamed this on shebeens, which operated day and night, and the easy availability of drugs, especially “whoonga”.

In KwaDengezi crime was blamed on whoonga addicts and the illegal alcohol trade. - The Mercury