Questions about Richards Bay violence

WHILE a motive is yet to be determined for the reason behind ongoing violent attacks on homeless people in Richards Bay, the public is questioning why arrests were not immediately made.

‘Operation Shaya Amapara’ as it is referred to by those carrying out the attacks, has been ongoing intermittently over the past few weeks and appears to be well co-ordinated.

After Friday’s random attacks on vulnerable people, violence and pandemonium again erupted in the CBD on Monday morning.

ALSO READ: Road closure in Richards Bay CBD amid ongoing violence

Witnesses saw people scattering into the greenbelt while those armed with pangas and sticks gave chase.

A group of men was transported around Richards Bay in taxis and dropped off at specific locations from where they would chase down their targets.

After this, they would leave the area and be transported elsewhere.

From about 30 people on Friday, the group swelled in size on Monday as they blocked Bullion Boulevard with buses and burning debris, forcing the closure of Taxi City.

Spreading law enforcement thin by setting veld fires and carrying out their random attacks at points far from each other, the police claimed that it was difficult to apprehend anyone.

Furthermore, the actual assaults were not witnessed by police officers.

But arrests were made on Monday, which led to a group gathering outside the Richards Bay Police Station, demanding the release of those arrested.

Cases of assault with grievous bodily harm were opened by police officers on behalf of the assault victims, although none has gone to the station to complete statements.

Police officers have spoken to Isikhebe and another vigilante group, neither of which claimed responsibility for the attacks.

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