Call on Zuma to probe attacks

Call on Zuma to probe attacks
The Sowetan
01 October 2009
Mary Papayya

ACADEMICS, clerics and other civil rights activists are calling on
President Jacob Zuma to intervene in the latest attacks that have
ravaged one of Durban’s biggest informal settlements – the Kennedy Road
Shack Settlement in Sydenham.

At the weekend a group of armed men, allegedly ANC supporters carrying
an assortment of weapons, destroyed shacks and beat up locals . Two
people died.

But police said the attacks “were criminally motivated”, adding that
eight arrests have been made.

MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Willies Mchunu has
ordered a special police task team to investigate. He rejected claims of
ethnicity.

Concerned groups have called on Zuma to institute an investigation into
alleged complicity by police in the violence. Spokesperson Raj Patel
said they were concerned by slogans such as “the amaMpondo are taking
over Kennedy ”.

Anglican Bishop Ruben Phillip said: “The militia that has driven out
hundreds of families is a disgrace to our democracy.”