By Ebi Kesiena
Rising crime in the township of Inanda in South Africa is forcing residents to abandon their homes, as persistent violence and insecurity continue to grip the area.
Fears intensified following a violent shootout in the Bester area on Thursday morning, during which five armed suspects were killed. The incident has renewed concerns about the level of criminal activity in the neighbourhood and the safety of those who still live there.
A community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said criminal gangs have been terrorising residents, with some of the deceased suspects allegedly involved in clashes with rival gangs from neighbouring areas.
“They would come here and rob us. So they were keeping the others away,” the resident claimed, while expressing concern that once police officers withdraw, residents would again be left vulnerable.
“This place has become a crime haven. We wish there was a police station here, or at least a satellite station, to monitor crime. The community would feel safer with a constant police presence,” he said.
According to the resident, crime in Inanda has reached unbearable levels, driving people out of their homes.
“People are leaving. There are more than 50 empty houses now. Criminals break into homes in broad daylight and rob residents. Even when we lock our gates and doors, they still find ways to get in,” he said.
Inanda Community Policing Forum (CPF) public relations officer Mbongeni Phewa confirmed that while some suspects have been arrested in the past, others remain at large and continue to terrorise the community.
Responding to claims that some of the suspects killed in the shootout were protecting residents, Phewa dismissed the notion.
“Criminals do not protect anyone. They can try to cover it up however they want,” he said.
Phewa also expressed frustration with parents who deny knowledge of their children’s criminal activities, noting that community leaders often struggle to protect families of suspects from retaliation by victims.
He said several homes, particularly in Bester and Amaoti, have been abandoned after residents were harassed by criminals.
“The people of Inanda are suffering. Many no longer live here because they are being threatened and fear the violence,” Phewa said, calling for increased police visibility to help restore safety in the area.
