Rising violence in Chatsworth linked to drug, alcohol abuse

COMMUNITY leaders are sounding the alarm over a rise in violence linked to drug and alcohol abuse, following a crime analysis report indicating an increase in assault and grievous bodily harm cases in Chatsworth.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

This week, KZN police issued a statement, calling on Chatsworth residents to be tolerant of each other and seek alternative means of resolving differences rather than resorting to violence.

“Recent crime analysis has shown an increase in cases of contact crimes, especially common assault and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (assault GBH),” said Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for the KZN police.

He said after studying the crime patterns, police had established that most cases of assault emanated from people who had been intolerant and ended up assaulting one another.

“Currently there is a rising number of assault cases in the Chatsworth policing precinct. Most cases are counter charges between neighbours and relatives who failed to resolve issues amicably and ended up assaulting each other. There are also several cases of violation of protection orders, emanating from neighbours, relatives or acquaintances. Road rage incidents, resulting from impatient and intolerant motorists, are also contributing to the high number of assault GBH cases,” he added.

Netshiunda called on residents to avoid unnecessary arguments and be good neighbours.

“We will continue to open cases as reported by all complainants and investigate as mandated by the Constitution. However resources used to attend to cases resulting from intolerance and egotistic behaviour could be redirected to the fight against other violent crimes that have plagued our province.