Ward councillor from Majola Administrative Area in Port St Johns, Councillor Bulelwa Mjakuja, confirmed that the five bakkies that had been handed over to police members would bring a big change in their area.
She said that many community members were left homeless after their homesteads were torched by unknown people in this area recently, due to a faction fight that was taking place.
“I can say my prayer has been answered because I always asked God to bring a change to this area. Now it will be easy for police officers to patrol in our areas. Even women from Bhuje locality are now able to go to Mhlotsheni locality when they want to get their medication in the clinic. Even learners are now going to school,” said Mjakuja.
According to her, they will also host a tournament with the aim of bringing peace among these localities. Mjakuja said that community members who were affected by this are from Bhuje locality, Tyeni locality, Gangatha locality, Siphusiphu locality, Mhlotsheni locality, Ntsimbini locality, Mevana Administrative Area, Ziphondo locality and Lujajweni locality. She added that 203 homesteads in total were torched in this area.
“It is painful because some of the victims have left their homes for good.”
She said that this faction fight had made it hard for them to bring service. The chief of the area, Mandla Meji, said that this was a relief because now police are visible in these areas.
“We thank the Minister for Police, Bheki Cele, for showing up and making sure he fulfils his promises. Now we have police officers who are staying here as per our request. We are hoping they will be here until government finishes building our police station,” said Meji.
He added that this relief had led some of the community members to return.
