Rifle-wielding KZN occupants deny officials access to hijacked properties

Government forced to call off provincial audit

- By Queenin Masuabi

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been asked for help in securing illegally seized government properties in Ulundi.

(Gallo Images)

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) government's audit of hijacked state-owned residences in Ulundi has been abruptly suspended after officials faced violent resistance from armed occupants.

The operation, intended to verify and reclaim illegally occupied state properties, turned dangerous when government staff were confronted by residents brandishing automatic rifles.

Public Works MEC Martin Meyer confirmed that the audit had to be called off for the safety of government personnel.

"Sadly, when our officials went to verify who was living there, in quite a few houses, they were threatened and chased away with automatic rifles. Quite a dangerous thing ensued," Meyer told Sunday World.

"We had to call off the audit because we did not want to put our officials in harm's way."

Meyer revealed that he has reached out to KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for assistance in securing the process and restoring law and order in the area.