The KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM), iLembe District Municipality, KZN COGTA, Greater Ballito Operations Centre (GBOC), iLembe Chamber of Commerce and Ballito UIP held a meeting on Monday, 19 July 2021, to discuss issues flowing from the unrest witnessed over the past two weeks, in which criminality, destruction of property and looting of goods in various businesses in our area of jurisdiction, as well as to chart a way forward.
The meeting appreciated the work of all law enforcement agencies, including private sector security companies, organized community-based crime-preventing bodies and general members of the public who played a part in reducing the looting and destruction of property in our communities, GBOC included.
The meeting also dealt with concerns that surfed on social media deemed as acts of racism/prejudice at certain access points in Ballito during the high points of the civil unrest. The GBOC through the Chief Executive, Warwick Chapman apologised and expressed that it worked for the benefit of all residents irrespective of age, race, and gender, and strongly condemned these acts and criticised all individuals who looked to use this unfortunate time to sew divisions in the area.
The meeting further dealt with ways in which good practices implemented by GBOC could be benchmarked particularly in the areas of food, water, and energy security. The meeting saw these as core areas for intervention within the municipal area and the region at large and some of the strategies by GBOC and its clusters can catalyse the rebuilding of the local economy as well as facilitate skills transfer, particularly to the youth.
The meeting noted the critical importance of stability and order within the key economic nodes of the KwaDukuza Municipal area and the need to review and revamp existing structures of engagement, ensuring mutually beneficial, outcome focussed collaboration that results in measurable improvements to service delivery.
The collaborative approach and critical nature of this undertaking have forged a foundation of mutual respect and operational capacity to build a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous community. Coming together through this very strenuous and unstable time has reminded us of the beautiful spirit of Ubuntu that we have in this community – working together will ensure success.
It was also agreed that, as enshrined in various legislative prescripts of the KwaDukuza Municipality, SAPS, and various SAPS CPF structures will be at the helm of managing the security situation, including the manning of roadblocks in catchment areas as identified.
The parties shall continue to strive for greater stakeholder cohesion as we prioritise the matter of food security and equitable access to food and food aid over the coming weeks.
Enquiries:
Warwick Chapman, Chief Executive, GBOC: w@rwick.com
Cobus Oelofse, CEO, iLembe Chamber of Commerce: ceo@ilembechamber.co.za
Brian Wright, Ballito UIP: brian@ballitouip.co.za
Sipho Mkhize, Media Liaison Officer, KwaDukuza Municipality: Sipho.M@kwadukuza.gov.za
Issued by KwaDukuza Municipality Corporate Communications Unit, for inquiries please contact:
Sipho S. Mkhize (CPRP)
Media Liaison Officer
☎ : 032 437 5133 |📱 : 063 030 7475 | 📧 : Sipho.M@kwadukuza.gov.za