Soweto and Durban residents demand action in 'Hands Off Mkhwanazi' marches

AS THE streets of Durban became a backdrop for impassioned pleas for justice, Soweto residents and supporters of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi also took to the streets in support of the KZN police commissioner.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE and THOBEKA NGEMA

Marching from Thokoza Park to the Kliptown police station, the small group lamented the recent deaths of councillors and other activists whose murders have not been resolved, while crime continues to spiral out of control.

In Durban, supporters of Mkhwanazi marched from Curries Fountain to Hoy Park to deliver a memorandum, calling for the police commissioner's protection.

This march followed his recent media briefing which has lifted the lid on alleged deep-rooted corruption within the SAPS.

Convenor of the Soweto march, Kgosi Maropeng, indicated that their cries are to ensure that Gauteng police deal with crime in the area.

"There have been many councillors and activists who have been killed here in Soweto. One of the councillors was shot and killed many years ago. Another councillor in Ward 130 was also killed three weeks ago, when he was shot and killed in his home.

"Till today, there have been no arrests. I want to ask the police here if it is only Mkhwanazi who is a policeman in this country," he stated.