“A question remains: Why do people always opt for this type of business? Another thing that is worth noting is that most of the customers are people who rely on grants and are unable to work,” said Mkhwanazi.
He appealed to the public to add its voice before would-be liquor traders are granted licences, as this could prevent the scourge of violence.
“If the public does not raise its voice, licences would be issued and this could create problems. The Sweetwater area falls under the Plessislaer policing precinct, which has over the years gained notoriety for the high numbers of cases reported.”
He said the station battles with low numbers of police officers assigned to the station and the high influx of people to the area.
“The area has grown over the years, with people relocating from townships to settle here,” said Mkhawanazi.
He said they could never have enough police to match the residents, more than 300,000, who live in the area. He urged the community to report criminals to the police.
“People must come forward with that information,” said Mkhwanazi.
Acting MEC for community safety Jomo Sibiya said he is concerned that the area has 168 taverns.
“We need to strike a balance and find solutions. We need to ask ourselves if it’s really necessary to have that many taverns that don’t have security at an optimal level,” said Sibiya.
He said the liquor board must continuously assess the licence applications and see if owners are complying with the security needs.
“If we have a country where people are killed every weekend, we do not have a country,” said Sibiya.
He said while he agreed people ought to have the freedom to spend their money where they derive enjoyment, the township economy should not only be embedded in alcohol. “We must talk about that. We must ensure people come and spend their time in a secure space,” said Sibiya.
Two men are alleged to have entered the tavern and randomly opened fire on the patrons, resulting in at least 12 people being shot. Two people died at the scene and two died later.
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Two nabbed in connection with PMB tavern shooting, ‘more arrests coming’
Image: Lwazi Hlangu
Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a tavern shooting in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, which left four people dead.
Speaking outside Samukelisiwe Tavern on Monday, KZN provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi confirmed on Tuesday that police made the arrests after Saturday’s shooting.
He said police located the vehicle used in the crime and that more arrests are imminent.
He said police have observed the frequency in which such crimes occur in taverns and liquor outlets.
“A question remains: Why do people always opt for this type of business? Another thing that is worth noting is that most of the customers are people who rely on grants and are unable to work,” said Mkhwanazi.
He appealed to the public to add its voice before would-be liquor traders are granted licences, as this could prevent the scourge of violence.
“If the public does not raise its voice, licences would be issued and this could create problems. The Sweetwater area falls under the Plessislaer policing precinct, which has over the years gained notoriety for the high numbers of cases reported.”
He said the station battles with low numbers of police officers assigned to the station and the high influx of people to the area.
“The area has grown over the years, with people relocating from townships to settle here,” said Mkhawanazi.
He said they could never have enough police to match the residents, more than 300,000, who live in the area. He urged the community to report criminals to the police.
“People must come forward with that information,” said Mkhwanazi.
Acting MEC for community safety Jomo Sibiya said he is concerned that the area has 168 taverns.
“We need to strike a balance and find solutions. We need to ask ourselves if it’s really necessary to have that many taverns that don’t have security at an optimal level,” said Sibiya.
He said the liquor board must continuously assess the licence applications and see if owners are complying with the security needs.
“If we have a country where people are killed every weekend, we do not have a country,” said Sibiya.
He said while he agreed people ought to have the freedom to spend their money where they derive enjoyment, the township economy should not only be embedded in alcohol. “We must talk about that. We must ensure people come and spend their time in a secure space,” said Sibiya.
Two men are alleged to have entered the tavern and randomly opened fire on the patrons, resulting in at least 12 people being shot. Two people died at the scene and two died later.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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