Ubunye bama Hostela Nezakhiwo Zawo: SENZENI NA eGLEBELANDS?
It is shameful and shocking that our people are dying like flies – shooting each other in front of the police, at the court, in taxis, in each others’ homes and on the streets. Over a year of terrible violence at Glebelands Hostel has shown how deeply run our country’s difficulties in providing safety and security to all our people.
Ubunye bama Hostela Nezakhiwo Zawo has tried all means possible to solve the Glebelands crisis. We engaged the hostel leadership structures – they failed to bring peace. We approached the Branch Executive Committee – they failed to bring peace. We reached out to the municipality – they failed to bring peace. We discussed the problem with the SAPS Provincial Commissioner – she failed to bring peace. We begged the Premier to assist us – he too failed to bring peace. While it is true that on 28 September 2014 the KZN Premier signed a peace accord at Glebelands. But the very next moment, those same people who signed the accord, put down their pens, picked up their guns and continued killing. The Premier did not return. We called for him to come back to Glebelands when the killings started again in January this year. But he has remained silent.
They have ALL failed us. Last night another Glebelands man was killed. Nearly thirty people are now dead.
It is true that the killing began in response to those who were selling beds – we cannot deny this. This problem exists in all our hostels. And we know that some continue to sell beds, despite the death it has brought to the hostel. We know too, that anyone associated with those selling beds are being targeted. Ubunye bama Hostela condemns all forms of corruption for the very reason that, one way or another, corruption kills.
From the very beginning in March 2014, we urged the police to arrest those responsible. If the police had done their job from the start, so many people would not have lost their lives. We renew our call for proper police action. We also call on those who hold meetings to plan the death of others to turn their minds instead to planning peace. We call on them to take their hands from their guns because violence is never the answer. We call on those with evidence to step forward and help the police.
We now finally call on national government to step in and help this community at war with itself. They too are human beings who deserve peace and safety – to lead a normal life. We call for the immediate intervention of the National Police Commissioner. We plead one more time for proper police action to stop this war. All now depends on the police. Lastly we call on the highest authority in our land to step in. We implore the President, Mr Jacob Zuma, to see our people are suffering and do whatever is necessary to end this genocide.
Senzeni na eGlebelands?
For more information and interviews please contact:
Mthembiseni Thusi: UbHNZ Deputy Chairperson / Spokesman: 0810218608 / 0738894385
