PETITION BY THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF KOKSTAD

CALLING FOR URGENT PROVINCIAL INTERVENTION, STRENGTHENED POLICING, ACCOUNTABILITY AND A COMMUNITY SAFETY ENGAGEMENT IN KOKSTAD

TO:

The Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal

Hon. Thamsanqa Ntuli

Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC responsible for Community Safety and Liaison

Hon. Sipho Hlomuka

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Community Safety and Liaison

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, KwaZulu-Natal

Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

Office of the Provincial Commissioner, SAPS KwaZulu-Natal

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier, Community Safety and Liaison

Chairperson: Hon. Mbali Frazer

The Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Community Safety and Liaison

The Provincial Secretariat for Police Service, KwaZulu-Natal

The District Commissioner of SAPS responsible for Harry Gwala District

The Station Commander of Kokstad SAPS

The Mayor and Municipal Manager of Greater Kokstad Local Municipality

The Harry Gwala District Municipality

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and relevant victim-support structures

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and relevant local education authorities

The relevant Community Policing Forum and community safety structures in Kokstad

And any other competent provincial, municipal and law-enforcement authority with responsibility for public safety, policing oversight, victim support and crime prevention in Kokstad and Harry Gwala District.

 

SUBJECT: URGENT REQUEST FOR PROVINCIAL INTERVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING REGARDING THE DISTURBING CLUSTER OF MISSING-PERSON CASES, KILLINGS AND SERIOUS CRIME IN KOKSTAD

INTRODUCTION

We, the undersigned concerned residents and citizens of Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, submit this petition to express our deep concern, fear and frustration regarding the disturbing number of missing-person cases, homicides, deaths and other serious crimes affecting our community.

We submit this petition peacefully and respectfully because we believe that the safety crisis facing Kokstad requires an urgent, coordinated and visible response from the relevant authorities.

We are particularly concerned about the growing number of reports involving people who go missing and are subsequently found deceased, as well as serious and violent crimes that have left families devastated and residents increasingly fearful for their own safety and the safety of their loved ones.

We recognise that individual criminal investigations are matters for the South African Police Service and that ongoing investigations must be protected from interference. We are therefore not asking authorities to compromise evidence, reveal confidential investigative information or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings.

We are asking for something fundamental:

We want the relevant authorities to come to Kokstad, listen to the people, explain what is being done, identify what resources are required and work with the community on a practical strategy to prevent further loss of life.

 

OUR CONCERNS

As residents of Kokstad, we are increasingly confronted with reports of people going missing, people being found deceased and mutilated.  

The frequency and seriousness of these incidents have created a growing sense of fear and insecurity.

Families are being devastated by the disappearance of their loved ones. Families whose loved ones are subsequently found deceased are left searching for answers, justice and accountability.

We are also concerned about cases that remain unresolved for extended periods and the absence, in some instances, of sufficient communication with affected families and the wider community.

Our concerns include, but are not limited to:

The increasing number of missing-person cases in and around Kokstad.

The discovery of missing persons deceased and the devastating consequences for their families and the wider community.

Serious cases that remain unresolved for extended periods.

The need for greater police visibility and more effective crime prevention in Kokstad and surrounding communities.

Concerns regarding whether SAPS has sufficient personnel, vehicles, equipment, investigative capacity and other resources to respond effectively to the area's needs.

Concerns regarding response times and the capacity to respond rapidly to missing-person reports and other serious incidents.

The need for stronger investigation and follow-up mechanisms in missing-person cases.

The need for better communication between SAPS, affected families and the community.

The need for greater transparency regarding serious and unresolved cases, while fully respecting the confidentiality and integrity of ongoing investigations.

The need for stronger cooperation between SAPS, provincial government, municipal structures, community leaders, schools, businesses, civil society organisations and residents.

The need for a coordinated crime-prevention strategy that addresses both immediate threats and the underlying conditions contributing to violent crime.

The need for greater public awareness regarding missing persons, personal safety and appropriate reporting mechanisms.

The need for appropriate emotional, social and practical support for families affected by missing persons, homicide and violent crime.

The need to rebuild trust between the community and law-enforcement authorities.

The need for residents to have a meaningful and regular platform through which they can raise concerns directly with those responsible for policing, community safety and provincial oversight.

 

OUR DEMANDS

We respectfully submit the following demands to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, SAPS and all relevant authorities.

DEMAND 1: AN URGENT PROVINCIAL COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING IN KOKSTAD

We demand that the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, the MEC responsible for Community Safety and Liaison, the Provincial Commissioner of SAPS or an appropriately mandated senior representative, and relevant provincial and municipal authorities come to Kokstad for a properly organised community safety engagement.

This must be a genuine engagement with residents and not merely a ceremonial visit.

The community must be given an opportunity to:

present its concerns;

ask questions;

hear directly from SAPS and government;

make proposals;

receive information about available interventions; and

agree on practical next steps.

DEMAND 2: A DEDICATED INVESTIGATIVE AND INTELLIGENCE REVIEW OF THE CASES

We call upon SAPS to undertake a coordinated review of the relevant missing-person and unidentified-person cases in and around Kokstad.

The purpose should be to determine, through evidence and proper investigation, whether there are any links, common factors, patterns, suspects, locations or other relevant connections between cases.

We are not asserting that all cases are connected.

We are asking SAPS to ensure that possible connections are properly investigated and that cases are not treated in isolation where there may be relevant intelligence linking them.

DEMAND 3: STRENGTHENED POLICE RESOURCES FOR KOKSTAD

We call upon the Provincial Commissioner and relevant SAPS authorities to assess and address the policing capacity available to Kokstad.

This assessment should consider:

the number of police officers;

detective capacity;

vehicles;

operational equipment;

forensic support;

search-and-rescue capacity;

crime intelligence capacity;

response times;

specialised investigative support; and

any other resources required to address the current safety situation.

Where deficiencies are identified, we demand that these be escalated to the appropriate provincial and national SAPS structures.

DEMAND 4: A RAPID MISSING-PERSON RESPONSE MECHANISM

We call for the establishment and implementation of a clear local rapid-response mechanism for missing persons, particularly children and other vulnerable people.

The mechanism should ensure that:

reports are acted upon immediately;

an investigating officer is assigned;

families receive the relevant case information;

searches are activated rapidly;

relevant SAPS units are notified where necessary;

community structures are appropriately mobilised; and

families receive reasonable and regular updates.

No family should be left uncertain about who is responsible for investigating the disappearance of their loved one.

DEMAND 5: INCREASED AND INTELLIGENCE-LED POLICE VISIBILITY

We demand increased police visibility in identified areas of concern.

However, we do not merely call for random patrols.

We call for intelligence-led and hotspot-based policing, informed by crime patterns and information from investigators and the community.

This should include appropriate foot and vehicle patrols, targeted operations and increased attention to areas identified as vulnerable.

 

DEMAND 6: ESTABLISH OR STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-IN-BLUE IN KOKSTAD

We call for the strengthening or establishment of a properly structured Community-in-Blue programme in Kokstad, working through the SAPS Community Policing Forum and appropriate community safety structures.

SAPS officially describes Community-in-Blue as a structured police-community partnership intended to increase local visibility and community-based intelligence.

We further call for appropriate cooperation between Community-in-Blue structures and legitimate private security companies operating in the area, subject to clear legal boundaries, coordination and accountability.

Community members must not be turned into vigilantes or informal police officers.

The purpose must be prevention, observation, reporting and cooperation with SAPS.

DEMAND 7: REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF SPECIALISED INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT

We call upon SAPS to get specialised investigative support from appropriate SAPS structures, including relevant serious and violent crime, organised crime, crime intelligence, forensic or other specialist units where the evidence and circumstances warrant such intervention.

Where matters fall outside the ordinary SAPS investigative structure, we call upon authorities to ensure that they are referred to the appropriate competent law-enforcement institution.

DEMAND 8: PROPER POLICE-COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION

We demand a clear communication mechanism between SAPS, affected families and the community.

This should include:

a designated contact person for affected families;

clear case-reference information;

appropriate progress updates;

public communication regarding broader safety interventions; and

a mechanism for residents to raise concerns about policing services.

We understand that investigators cannot disclose information that could compromise criminal investigations.

However, confidentiality must not become a reason for the community to receive no meaningful communication at all.

DEMAND 9: COMMUNITY SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT

We call upon Greater Kokstad Municipality, Harry Gwala District Municipality, SAPS and relevant provincial authorities to conduct a safety audit of areas identified as vulnerable.

The audit should examine:

street lighting;

isolated areas;

unsafe pedestrian routes;

abandoned or neglected spaces;

areas around schools;

access to emergency services;

areas where serious crimes have occurred; and

other environmental conditions that may increase vulnerability.

Where problems fall within municipal or provincial responsibility, corrective action should be identified and implemented.

DEMAND 10: ESTABLISH A PERMANENT KOKSTAD COMMUNITY SAFETY COORDINATION STRUCTURE

We call for the establishment or strengthening of a permanent multi-stakeholder safety structure involving:

SAPS;

the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Community Safety and Liaison;

Greater Kokstad Local Municipality;

Harry Gwala District Municipality;

relevant provincial departments;

Community Policing Forum structures;

schools;

traditional and community leaders;

civil society organisations;

businesses and appropriate private-security representatives;

youth representatives; and

other relevant stakeholders.

This structure should meet regularly and have clearly defined responsibilities and follow-up mechanisms.

DEMAND 11: PROVINCIAL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

We call upon the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier, Community Safety and Liaison to consider the safety situation in Kokstad as an issue requiring provincial oversight.

We request that the Committee consider an oversight engagement or visit to Kokstad and engage directly with residents, SAPS and relevant government authorities.

The Legislature has an established oversight role over Community Safety and Liaison, including public participation. (KZN Legislature)

DEMAND 12: INVESTIGATE ANY EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION, MALADMINISTRATION OR IMPROPER CONDUCT

We call upon the relevant competent authorities to investigate credible allegations of:

corruption;

maladministration;

interference with investigations;

abuse of public resources;

improper conduct by public officials; or

any other unlawful conduct that may emerge in relation to public safety or the handling of relevant cases.

Where matters fall within the statutory jurisdiction of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) or another competent investigative institution, we call for appropriate referral and investigation in accordance with the law.

We do not ask the SIU to replace SAPS in investigating ordinary criminal murders. We ask that any evidence of corruption or maladministration involving public institutions be dealt with by the institution legally empowered to investigate it.

 

WE WANT SOLUTIONS, NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We emphasise that this petition is not submitted simply to complain.

We are submitting it because we want action, accountability and solutions.

The people of Kokstad possess valuable knowledge about the conditions affecting our community. Residents know the areas in which they feel unsafe. Families understand the difficulties they encounter when attempting to report and follow up on missing-person cases. Community organisations and local leaders have knowledge that can assist authorities.

We therefore want government to treat residents as partners in developing a sustainable safety response.

We do not seek to replace SAPS.

We do not seek to interfere with criminal investigations.

We do not support vigilantism, mob justice, unlawful searches, intimidation or the public accusation of individuals without evidence.

We want a lawful, professional and coordinated response in which the state and community work together to protect lives.

 

OUR REQUEST TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

We respectfully request that the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and relevant authorities:

1. Acknowledge receipt of this petition.

2. Provide a formal written response to the concerns and demands contained in this petition.

3. Convene an urgent community safety meeting in Kokstad.

4. Ensure that senior representatives with decision-making authority attend that meeting.

5. Provide the community with an indication of the interventions and resources that can realistically be implemented.

6. Establish clear mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on commitments made during the engagement.

We further request that this matter be treated as an urgent public-safety concern requiring coordinated attention from the relevant provincial and law-enforcement authorities.

 

7. CONCLUSION

We are concerned citizens.

We are parents, children, families, workers, students, business owners, community leaders and residents.

We should not have to live in fear of losing our loved ones or waking up to reports of another person missing or another life lost.

We understand that crime cannot be eliminated overnight and that criminal investigations require time, evidence and due process.

However, we also believe that the people of Kokstad deserve a state that is visible, responsive, accountable and capable of acting before another tragedy occurs.

We therefore call upon the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, SAPS and all relevant authorities to hear our concerns, come to Kokstad, engage with us and work with us on a practical and measurable safety strategy.

We are not asking for empty promises. We are asking for action.