ANC Youth League slams move that placed Community Safety Department in the KZN Premier's office

The ANC Youth League said the decision to place the Department of Community Safety and Liaison under the Premier's office in KwaZulu-Natal was a mistake that is undermining crime-fighting efforts in the province.

The ANCYL in KZN has raised its concerns with the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in recent days. The Mercury has reported that tensions have been rising between parties in the GPU.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, the league addressed several issues and expressed its concerns regarding the government's approach to provincial unity. The department was relocated to the Premier's office shortly after the formation of the GPU.

In a statement, the league said that many of the challenges faced regarding crime are compounded by the issue of illegal immigration, which overburdens public services.

It said this situation is a direct result of inadequate law enforcement, particularly concerning border management and the lack of targeted programmes and initiatives to address this phenomenon.

“We strongly believe that relocating the Community Safety and Liaison Department into the office of the Premier has rendered such an important department almost useless.

“This lack of decisiveness from the Premier is a direct cause of the challenges and criminality associated with illegal immigrants. It has become clear that he does not have any ideas on how to deal with this crisis.

“This has resulted in unfortunate incidents where citizens have resorted to taking the law into their own hands by blocking entrances to clinics and schools,” the league stated.

The league said that the neutralisation of the Department of Community Safety and Liaison has nearly doubled the challenges faced.

“We cannot be expected to take collective responsibility for issues that are deliberate and self-imposed by our GPU partners.”

The KZN Premier's Office has been approached for comment.

THE MERCURY