Police Minister Bheki Cele says the number of private security companies being investigated for their conduct during the looting and violence in Phoenix, north of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal last month, has increased to seven.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has been visiting settlements in the Phoenix area. He says initially they were investigating four companies. Cele also says the number of firearms seized from the companies now stands at 162.
“The main private security company that people complained about is VIP KZN. It is very notorious. There are others as well. There were four now there are seven being investigated. We have seized 162 firearms from these companies for the ballistic tests. there is a lot of investigation that is underway.”
Community members of Amaoti and Bhambayi say they have been subjected to abuse by private security companies for years.
“Minister could you please make sure that you address this issue of these private security companies in Phoenix. These security companies such as VIP and reaction really need to be investigated. We have been abused by these companies for too long. We are also not happy with the police station.”
Over 30 people have been arrested in relation to the Phoenix attacks. Many of those arrested have already appeared in court.
36 people killed in the Phoenix unrest: Cele | 3 August 2021
On Saturday, the African United Activists Movement marched to the Phoenix Police Station to hand over a memorandum. The movement is demanding that a commission of inquiry be established into the death of about 36 people in Phoenix during the unrest.
In the video below activist hand over a memorandum at Phoenix police station:
Several other organisations and political parties including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have also embarked on a similar march to Phoenix.
EFF supporters gathered to march against racism in Phoenix | 5 August 2021
