The area is near the notorious Glebelands and Seventeen hostels.
Organiser Sthembiso Mshengu says prayer is important in the run-up to the local government election, especially for political leaders and party volunteers.
“It’s about God’s intervention to ensure that we invite the presence of our Mighty to guide us, to guide our volunteers and our candidates because democracy does not mean that if they disagree they have to resort to violence. Democracy is about the freedom of choice and freedom of expression. Therefore, as we go about the elections we are asking for God’s intervention and guide our people and blanket them in terms of ensuring that they care for each other.”
Residents Ntuthuko Mncwabe and Moses Hlophe were frank about the challenges facing young people in the area, in particular, unemployment
“Prayer meetings can help people to bring back conscience and be able to separate between the right and wrong things. There are slight changes in our lives although it’s not enough and that is why I go to vote. There is high rate of crime and job opportunities are few and this prompts youth to resort to crime in order to survive themselves. I think if we got to vote, we may be able to bring back hope.”
Hotspots in KZN
Earlier today, Police Minister Bheki Cele says areas such as eThekwini and Plessislaer in KwaZulu-Natal have been identified as hotspots of politically motivated killings that will require additional police deployment during the Local Government Elections.
Cele was speaking during a visit to the family of the slain Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ward candidate in the Umsunduzi Municipality, Thulani Shangase.
Cele visits family of slain councillor candidate:
The Shangase was shot in Plessislaer on his way back from an EFF election campaign meeting in Dambuza at the weekend.
Cele says the provincial Police Commissioner will deploy adequate additional officers to the key areas.
He says, “Yes, there are areas where there will have to be extra personnel. eThekwini is one problematic area, here is another, mid-Illovo, Kwadukuza, King Chetshwayo and as you go to Nongoma, but the provincial commissioner will know exactly what’s the story.”
