KZN govt condemns Umlazi violence

26 February 2012 - 18:34 By Sapa
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The KwaZulu-Natal legislature on Sunday strongly condemned violent protests in Umlazi and commended police for swift action.

Around 1500 people gathered to march in Umlazi's T-Section on Friday evening.

They fired shots in the air, wounding two people and assaulting another, police said.

On Saturday, 600 people regrouped at the Umlazi hostel, looting houses, setting two shops alight and robbing residents of groceries and cash.

Umlazi police are investigating cases of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, malicious damage to property and public violence.

The legislature extended sympathy and condolences to families which had been affected by the violence.

It also apologised to Premier Soccer League teams which had been scheduled to play in Umlazi but were forced to postpone their game.

It called on law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system to ensure that those implicated in violence were arrested, prosecuted, and given lengthy sentences.

"Most of the alleged perpetrators were known to the victims," it said.

It called on the National Freedom Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party to iron out their differences in order to strengthen stability and prosperity in the province.

Earlier on Sunday, the IFP condemned the violence, which it said was politically motivated.

It blamed the NFP for attacking IFP supporters.

"This latest incident shows that political tensions remain unaddressed and we still have a long road to travel in achieving political tolerance and peace," the party said in a statement.

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