TENSION ran high as chanting residents gathered outside Kgomotso Diale’s home.
Police Minister Bheki Cele was confronted by angry residents who accused the local police of corruption and lack of police visibility.
On Wednesday, 20 April, Cele, along with the provincial commissioner Elias Mawela, visited Pimville in Soweto.
This comes after Diale was shot and killed following a clash between residents and alleged cables thieves in Chicken Farm squatter camp on Monday.
Resident Mxolisi Colosi said: “We are faced with a big crisis of police failing the community and working with criminals. Action must be taken or the police station must be shut down.”
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Resident France Khoza said: “We are still traumatised by what unfolded on Monday. I can still hear the sounds of gunshots in my head as we ran for cover. We can’t continue to be bullied in our own area and when we speak out, we are killed.
“We are glad the minister visited the area and we hope we will see improvements taking place and criminals getting arrested.”
Cele said a number of issues were raised by community members, which are not only directed at the police but other departments of government.
Addressing residents, Cele said cable theft was an economic crime and Joburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse, along with the police and City Power, were engaging in the matter to create a permanent response.
He said 10 police vehicles and 12 detectives would be made available to the area to probe cases of murder and attempted murder including Diane’s death.
Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla “Lux” Dlamini, who is a Pimville resident, said they didn’t want to work against government.
Addressing Cele, Dlamini said: “You’ve been promising us lies, truth be told, but this is an opportunity for all of us to work together and disappoint people who have been looking at South Africa.”
Diale’s family said they felt overwhelmed by the reaction following Kgomotso’s death, but they believe Kgomotso would have appreciated the community efforts.
