Kwazulu-natal: Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has commended voluntary community safety structures for their role in protecting communities and strengthening democracy. Ntuli was speaking at Zakheni B Community Hall in the Alfred Duma Local Municipality, where he officially welcomed newly trained members of community safety structures.

According to South African Government News Agency, the event coincided with Freedom Day earlier in the week, which marked 32 years of South Africa's first democratic elections. Delivering his keynote address, Ntuli commended the spirit of volunteerism demonstrated by community safety structure members, noting that their work contributes significantly to protecting the gains of South Africa's democratic dispensation since 1994.

Ntuli emphasized that community-based crime prevention structures play a critical role in supporting law enforcement agencies and strengthening grassroots safety interventions. He highlighted the importance of civic participation, noting that community safety structures embody the spirit of active citizenship central to South Africa's constitutional democracy.

Addressing crime concerns, Ntuli raised alarm about the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in parts of the municipality and urged both community safety structures and residents to report illegal weapons to their nearest police stations. He also pointed to growing challenges related to drug dependency and increasing incidents of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), particularly in areas such as Zakheni.

The Premier identified several high-risk areas requiring intensified intervention and collaboration, including Pieters Industrial Estate, Qinisa, Zakheni sections A, B, D, and E, Manzabilayo, St Chads, and Mhlumayo. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between police and community safety structures to effectively combat crime in these hotspots.

Ntuli acknowledged the role of traditional leaders, mayors, the religious sector, and the business community in supporting crime prevention efforts and promoting safer environments. He emphasized that addressing crime requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving all stakeholders, including government, law enforcement, and communities.

Ntuli reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to strengthening and supporting community safety structures, ensuring they are adequately equipped to contribute meaningfully to safer communities across KwaZulu-Natal.