BY DIRECTORATE:
ORGANISED CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY UNDER THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
(NDPP)
26 October 1999
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Dr Penuell Maduna, has praised the progress that is being made by the Investigating Directorate: Organised Crime and Public Safety (IDOC), in KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr Maduna met the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Bulelani Ngcuka, and got a "thorough" briefing on the steps to quell political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.IDOC
"I take pride in the work that is being done by IDOC in KwaZulu-Natal under extremely difficult circumstances. For a long time there was a sense of impunity that prevailed in that province and today, I note with a degree of satisfaction that a number of those behind the violence are before court," says Dr Maduna.
The NDPP told the Minister that even though the unit was formed in November last year, it effectively became operational in April due to logistical difficulties. He said in Richmond it was clear that little progress could be made on a number of the murder cases because the unit inherited badly investigated cases.
"However, we began to identify those behind the violence and began to arrest them for other crimes ranging from non-political murders, attempted murder, rape, robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms," says Mr Ngcuka.
In all these cases the accused were either kept in custody or placed on bail conditions that prevented them entering the Richmond area. Once the culprits were taken care of, political violence was reduced. Thirty-five prosecutions were instituted, three convictions have been obtained so far and no acquittals.
The stabilisation resulted in conducive for the investigation of the murder cases. Attention was given to Sifiso Nkabinde's murder and the Ndabezitha Massacre, where 11 people were killed because they were the most recent, and furthermore, if the cases were not promptly resolved could lead to renewed violence.
Nkabinde investigation was sped-up as some of the accused in the murder could have been involved in more violence. The matter has been fast-tracked and the case is set down for trial on November 8. The unit is making considerable progress in the Ndabezitha and Tavern massacres. The unit is also looking at the spate of killings in 1997 and 1998.
The unit is also focusing on Bulwer, where a number of arrests were made including two traditional leaders who will be appearing in court January 2000.
In the South Coast, a prominent traditional leader was arrested for the possession of a quantity hand grenades and ammunition for assault rifles. The indications were the weapons could be used to the build-up to the elections.
Those responsible for the Margate and Izingolweni Massacres are on trial and an IFP youth leader, Baba Cele, and Ndabo Nzimakwe have been indicted on several counts of murder, attempted murder and arson, relating to two attacks which were launched into an ANC area. They will appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court early next month.
ISSUED BY PAUL SETSETSE ON BEHALF OF DR MADUNA:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT PAUL 083 252 4770 or SIPHO NGWEMA 082 826 0391